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Irelketerener. ' -.4."..
JACOB A. EVANS
Director of National Advertising and Promotion National Broadcasting Company
Selling and Promoting RADIO AND TELEVISION
PRINTERS' INK PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.
New York
COPYRIGHT, 1954, BY
PRINTERS' INR PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
to Lonna
FOREWORD
On September 14, 1926, the Radio Corporation of Amer- ica publicly announced the establishment of the first radio network, the National Broadcasting Company. I was priv- ileged to be among the first salesmen of the new company. Radio then was not a selling medium, not even an advertis- ing medium . . . it was used principally as a company's public-relations voice to its customers. I remember one "commercial" that began: "The Blank Company has pre- sented this program with the hope that some of its customers might have enjoyed the musical selections."
What a difference today! As advertisers have learned to use broadcasting to sell their products effectively, so we have learned over the years to sell our medium more effectively.
During the past 28 years I have seen broadcast selling go through many changes. New methods of selling have emerged. New research techniques have been developed. Today's salesman has at his disposal scientific sales devices that were undreamed of in the early days of broadcasting. Television selling has become a great profession almost over- night.
One thing has not changed, however. And I will venture that it will never change. A successful salesman will always hold the interests of the buyer to be paramount. The adver- tiser's objectives must always form the pattern for the sales- man's presentation.
vii
viii FOREWORD
Another inescapable facet of good selling is helping your
current clients to achieve success in broadcasting. They are
really your best customers. It is short-sighted to spend a lot
of time selling an advertiser on your station and then aban-
don him after he has signed the contract. Your first consid-
eration should always be for the loyal, faithful clients who
have an investment in time and money on your station. If
this is done, the necessity for finding new clients will be
lessened. As salesmen and promotion men read this book, they will
learn much about the tools and techniques of selling and
promoting radio and television. If they apply this vast assem-
blage of information to their day-to-day activities, their
chances for a successful career will be multiplied.
I am delighted that Jake Evans has written this book, for
it will serve as an important contribution to the broadcast-
ing media. I feel that he is eminently qualified to author
such a book. After reading Selling and Promoting Radio and
Television, I can recommend it highly to every person in-
terested in the field.
May 6, 1954 NILES TRAMMELL
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
To these good friends who have contributed their time and professional advice to the composition of this book, my sincere thanks:
Hugh M. Beville, Jr.-Research William Duttera-Engineering Hugh Graham-Production Walter D. Scott-Sales Frederick Veit and John Graham-Design
And to those whose principles, influence and leadership inspired this book, Brigadier General David Sarnoff, Niles Trammell, George H. Frey, James V. McConnell and Wil- liam H. Fineshriber, Jr.: my lasting gratitude.
JACOB A. EVANS
CONTENTS
1 The Challenge 1
2 The Radio Salesman's Equipment 5
3 The Radio Salesman and His Product 25 4 Preparing for the Sales Call 31 5 The Sales Call 42 6 The Close 50
7 Servicing the Account 58
8 Retrieving Lost Business 71
9 Selling Radio in a Television Market 78 10 An Approach to Television Sales 90 11 What Television Offers the Advertiser 99 12 The Tools of Television Selling 105 13 Television Sales Techniques 139 14 Servicing the Television Account 158 15 The Advertising Agency and the Salesman 170 16 The Salesman and the Community 176 17 Radio -Television Sales Management 180 18 Directing the Sales Staff 191 19 Sales Administration 200 20 The Operation of a Successful Promotion
Department 212 21 How to Prepare an Effective Sales Presentation 241
22 Promoting Sales to the National Advertiser xi
259
xii CONTENTS
23 How to Build Station Audiences 278
24 How to Put a Station on the Map 302
25 Selling and Promoting Color Television 316
Appendix A "Sales Profile" for Your Station 329
Index 341
SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TELEVISION
CHAPTER 1
The Challenge
On December 17, 1953, a new instrument of influence was born. On that historic date, in Washington, D.C., the Federal Communications Commission authorized the com- mercial use of the most incredible miracle of the electronic age, Color Television.
The action taken in the nation's capital on December 17,
1953, will ultimately affect every man and woman associated with the radio and television broadcasting industries. Color television will produce, inevitably, a far-reaching influence upon existing media. The advent of radio changed advertis- ing concepts a generation ago. Television hit the trade in 1947 with roughly the same force that the USAF hit Hiro- shima two years previously. Color television's impact on advertising might ultimately top both of its electronic prede- cessors. Notwithstanding these revolutionary effects, Amer- ican industry has heretofore been capable of absorbing the additional cost of new methods of advertising without ma-
terially disturbing established media. The approaching growth of color television invites chal-
lenging problems for the radio and television stations of today. In future years radio must be programmed, sold and pro- moted in coexistence with color television. Television sta -
1
2 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
tion planning is linked, of necessity, to color development and progress. Meeting the challenge introduced by this new- est advertising innovation will require an unprecedented effort to produce a better "product," to sell it more aggres- sively and to promote it more intelligently. The future of the radio and television stations of today hinges directly upon their successful accomplishment of these three undertakings.
Commercial radio, although scarcely thirty years old, has led a turbulent life. Its early days were wrought with intensely competitive battles with the older established media. After finally gaining advertiser acceptance, radio enjoyed only a few years of relatively unfettered existence before World War II exploded. After having been buoyed up artificially for the four wartime years, radio faced its own Armageddon a couple of years later with the advent of television. Since 1948, radio has maintained its commercial prowess admirably, but not without a perpetual struggle. Even in 1954, radio as a medium has vitality and strength, though the decline in network radio revenues bodes threatening signs for the whole industry. Possibly the radio of yesterday, as well as the radio of today, could have averted some of its bewilderment by more re- alistic planning of its future strategy. Perhaps never before, though, has there been so great a need for formulating long- range patterns for selling and promoting radio as there is today.
Black -and -white television, the fastest growing medium in advertising history, will undoubtedly continue its fabulous expansion. New U. S. television stations are going on the air by the dozens.
New markets are being opened to television. Older TV markets are gaining new stations and more selective program- ming. It will be several years before color television even so much as approximates the circulation of black -and -white.
THE CHALLENGE 3
The ever-increasing number of television stations, of course, has a decided effect upon selling and promotional practices. Some stations are facing competition for the first time. New stations are tackling the problem of establishing themselves in markets dominated by veteran operations. Television can no longer be sold as radio with pictures. It can no longer be promoted with outmoded, ineffectual concepts. Selling and promoting television in the complex environment of modern- day advertising requires thoughtful, meaningful and purpose- ful planning.
The interlocking relationship between programming, sales and promotion necessitates a complete interchange of ideas and singularity of purpose between the three operations. One of the objectives of this book is to set forth procedures for achieving maximum sales results through this interrelation- ship. The theme of this volume is concentrated in the sales and promotion areas, but its contents should help to provide a modus operandi for commercial program personnel, too. An understanding of the activities and ,objectives of radio and television sales and promotion is, indeed, an obligation of every responsible member of the station's staff.
The close alliance between sales and promotional activities suggests that their study be taken up simultaneously. Hence, Selling and Promoting Radio and Television integrates the two operations. Actually, the salesman must be intimately acquainted with promotional procedures if he is to achieve the highest degree of efficiency. The promotion man must be as familiar with sales problems and procedures as if he were actively soliciting accounts. In the vast area of sales promotion, sales and promotion are totally wedded. The salesman's entire effort is founded upon the information and ammunition used to sell advertisers: sales promotion. The sales -promotion effort is predicated primarily upon the salesman's knowledge and
4 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
experience with his individual accounts. Sales and sales
promotion are inseparable. The first few chapters of Selling and Promoting Radio and
Television are devoted specifically to radio salesmanship, but
much of their contents is directly applicable to selling tele-
vision. The chapters on television sales not only serve a
functional purpose for television salesmen, but they also
should assist the radio salesman in understanding the sales
techniques of his strongest competitor. Chapters 20 through
24 are written primarily for the promotion man, but contain
information that should increase the efficiency of any sales-
man. This, then, is a book for management, for sales, for
promotion and for anyone associated directly or indirectly
with these operations. The primary purpose of Selling and
Promoting Radio and Television is to assist the reader in
making his career a more productive and more profitable one.
The kaleidoscopic pattern that has developed in the broad-
casting industry since World War II has unleashed a multi-
tude of challenging problems upon the salesman and promo-
tion man. The complexion of radio has changed enormously.
Television has emerged as a giant among advertising media.
Color television has become a reality. The need for more
effective selling and promotion of radio and television has
never been greater. The complexities of selling the two media
are unprecedented. The reflective study of the following
pages may assist the professional broadcaster in meeting these
challenging times.
CHAPTER 2
The Radio Salesman's Equipment
The radio salesman sells an unusual "product." He can't demonstrate it. He can't feel it. He can't see it. His company doesn't even own it!
Selling radio is literally selling the air ... and the air is owned by the public, regulated by the government and policed by both.
The radio salesman's product has an unusual dimension ... time. He sells a designated number of ticks of the clock. Nothing could be more elusive.
But this product, for all its nebulous qualities, has class and excitement. For radio is show business. And radio is information. Radio is news and education, sports and special events, music, comedy, drama, religion. Radio is a mirror of people, expressing what people are, would like to be or hope to be.
Radio, indeed, is an exciting "product." Contrasted with selling, say, a refrigerator, radio salesman-
ship is as complex as an Einstein equation. No one doubts a refrigerator's basic function, which is to
keep food cold. Any prospect can examine carefully each in- dividual feature, even inspect the intricacies of the electric motor if he chooses. The refrigerator is there.
5
6 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Radio isn't there. Radio's prospect may doubt radio's basic
function, which is to win an audience that will buy the pros-
pect's merchandise. The radio prospect can't examine any-
thing tangibly. Yes, the radio salesman has one of the most difficult sales
jobs in business. He must convince people that his product is worth the asking price, knowing full well that his product is as elusive as a zephyr. To sell radio successfully requires a
tremendous amount of "equipment," proof that intangible radio produces highly tangible results.
The exigencies of radio are such that its salesmen must be
among the best -informed men in the selling profession. A
good radio salesman should be a salesman, a showman, a
promoter, a research man and an advertising expert. A formid-
able amount of knowledge and equipment is necessary. The better informed and better equipped one becomes, the better are his chances for attaining true success as a salesman.
The term "radio salesman" is generic. A radio salesman
may sell a 250 -watt local station, a 50,000 -watt clear channel,
a regional or national network or a group of stations for
national spot advertising. Sales approaches vary accordingly. The large regional station may stress coverage, for example,
while the small low -power station may emphasize ratings, or programming or cost values. The emphasis to be placed on
each "sales tool" will be determined by the specific sales
environment in which the salesman is operating. The pages that follow detail the major components of the
radio salesman's equipment. Perhaps the most logical starting point is the definition of the area where the station can be
heard.
THE RADIO SALESMAN'S EQUIPMENT 7
THE DIMENSIONS OF THE RADIO AUDIENCE
Station coverage is generally determined by three systems:
1. Field -Strength Measurements. Measurement of the in- tensity of the station's "signal" in all directions from its transmitter.
2. Mail Tabulation. Analyzation of mail received by the station to determine the location of the station's listeners.
3. Surveys of Home Listening. Measurement through research of the radio listening habits of people through- out the station's area of reception.
Field -Strength Measurements are conducted by use of equipment that measures the strength of radio waves. A cali- brated meter on this equipment records the signal strength of a station's transmitter in millivolts per meter. (A millivolt is a unit of measurement of the radio signal's intensity.) The starting point for an engineering field test, of course, is the station's transmitter. The field -strength -measurement equip- ment is transported from the transmitter in as straight a line as possible, and a record of the millivolt readings is made. The results of these readings are then notated on a large-scale map. The first point recorded is usually the spot where 25 millivolts are registered. As the equipment is moved farther from the transmitter, the signal strength lessens, and subse- quent millivolt readings become smaller. The readings usually recorded are the 25, 10, 2 and 0.5 millivolts per meter.
Similar recordings of signal strength are made in other directions from the transmitter and notated upon the map. When the field tests have been completed, all the 25 millivolt check points are joined together in a circular line on the map, forming a contour surrounding the transmitter point. (Com- pensations are made for "high" and "low" signal areas in
8 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
order to reach a relatively even contour, which is called a
"best -fit curve.") Similarly, each of the other millivolt check
points are joined in contours to form the "10 -millivolt contour
area," the "2 -millivolt area," and so on.
The area enclosed within the 0.5 -millivolt contour is con-
sidered by engineers to be effective signal -strength for good
daytime reception in most nonurban areas. In the absence of
static and man-made noises, the 0.1 -millivolt area may provide
an acceptable service to rural areas. Some stations use the 0.5 -
millivolt area to determine their potential audience (i.e.,
the number of homes lying within the contour). Other stations
prefer the 0.1 -millivolt area, which, of course, being a wider
area, enlarges the number of homes claimed.
Field -strength measurements are conducted separately for
daytime and nighttime signals. The area normally accepted
for effective nighttime reception lies within the 5- or 2.5 -
millivolt contour as measured at night.
Until the late 1930's the contour -map was the standard
method of indicating station "coverage." A few stations still
use the contour -map for this purpose. Almost all stations have
such maps. The majority of the U. S. stations have field -
strength -measurement maps on file with the Federal Com-
munications Commission. Insofar as the FCC is concerned,
the contour -map is the official designation of a radio station's
service area. As early as 1921, Station KDKA, Pittsburgh, became aware
that its audience extended far beyond the confines of a 0.5- or
0.1 -millivolt area. Letters were received from listeners hun-
dreds of miles beyond its "official" coverage area. In due time
KDKA and other radio station operators began to analyze the
mail from listeners by postmarks. Over a period of a few
weeks, a sufficient volume of mail had accumulated for the
location of listeners and the intensity of listening in each
FIELD STRENGTH MEASUREMENT MAP 25 my/m -10 my/m -2 my/m - 0.5 my/m Contours
WOAI - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
50 K. W. 1200 K C
(Courtesy of WOAI, San Antonio, Texas) Fig. 1. A Radio Station Field Strength Measurement Map
9
10 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
county to be demonstrated. Through assorting the mail by
town and county, a station could prove there were listeners
in a much wider area than its engineering field tests had
shown. Some stations in earlier days stretched the point and
claimed all the radio sets in every county from which they
received at least one postcard. Today, "mail -maps," as they are called, are still in general
use. Indeed, a mail -map used properly can be a valuable sales
tool. Their use, however, is more refined than in the swash-
buckling days of the twenties and thirties. Mail -maps are most acceptable today when they are based
on the mail received by a single program on the station. Since
many disk jockeys, home -economists and others invite listeners
to write them, a large accumulation of mail for an individual
show is not unusual. Apportionment of the mail received by
county may result in an impressive "mail coverage map" of the
program. It provides undeniable proof of widespread listen-
ing, acceptable to the big New York agency as well as to the
local merchant. By relating the number of letters received
from each county to the total number of homes in each county,
the relative intensity of listening can be determined through-
out the station's coverage area. This can best be shown on a
letters -per -thousand -homes basis.
Generally speaking, national accounts will not accept a
mail -map as the sole evidence of a station's coverage area.
Many local accounts, however, will. Several things are wrong with mail -maps as instruments for
defining a station's coverage area. First of all, the mail itself is
not representative of all the people reached by a station. Non -
letter -writers also listen to the station, but there's no way of
determining the proportion of listeners and nonlisteners
among the people who don't write letters. Another objection
to mail -maps is their lack of a uniform base. One station's
THE RADIO SALESMAN'S EQUIPMENT 11
map may be based upon all mail received over a three months' period; another station's upon the mail received in response to a single premium offer; a third, upon the number of re- quests for a disk jockey to play "Stardust." The national or regional buyer would have no standard basis for comparing station coverage if mail -maps were his only source.
Still a third important drawback to mail -maps is the fact that they can be "loaded" by unscrupulous operators. Most buyers of radio will not accept figures from stations that are not verified by a reputable research organization.
Recognizing the need for a standard measurement of station coverage, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Associ-
ation of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies joined forces in 1945 and formed the Broadcast Measurement Bureau. The next year BMB made a nationwide survey of all the 3,071 counties in the United States to determine how many homes listened to each radio station, day and night. Approximately 523,000 "ballots" were mailed, of which 315,000 were returned to BMB. The number of responses from every county in the country made it possible to show the percentage of homes covered in each county (and each city with at least one station) by every radio station. By applying this percentage to the total number of families in the county, each station's audience in each county of its listening area was determined. BMB credited as coverage every county in which ten percent or more of the families listened to a station at least once a week. Thus, every station that subscribed to BMB (there were over 700) had an accept- able standard measurement of its coverage area for the first time. BMB repeated its nationwide survey in 1949 with some improvements and modifications. Financial difficulties made it necessary to suspend operations in 1951. The Broadcast Measurement Bureau's contribution to standardizing the
12 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
measurement of station coverage, however, was monumental. In 1952, Dr. Kenneth Baker, former director of BMB, con-
ducted an all -county survey similar in method to the BMB
surveys. Dr. Baker formed a new company, the Standard Audit and Measurement Services (SAMS), which was privately
financed. Subscribers included radio stations, advertising agencies, networks, national representatives and others. The mail -ballot survey of SAMS produced the following infor-
mation for each station (illustrations on pages 14 and 15):
1. Number of homes in station coverage area-day and night
2. Number of radio homes in station coverage area-day and night
3. Number of homes and number of radio homes in each
county in the area-day and night 4. Number of homes listening to each station in each
county in the area-day and night 5. Number of homes listening to each station six or seven
days per week; number listening three to five days per week; number listening one or two days per week-day and night
6. Percentage of total number of homes covered by each
station in each county-day and night 7. Percentages applicable in point No. 5 above
The Standard Audit and Measurement Services is currently one of two nationally acceptable research sources for station coverage information. The other is Nielsen Coverage Service.
NCS is a division of the world's largest market research
firm, the A. C. Nielsen Company. The first NCS survey was
also conducted in 1952. Its method was a considerable de-
parture from the SAMS or BMB system. Without going into a lot of technical detail, suffice it to say that NCS utilized a
THE RADIO SALESMAN'S EQUIPMENT 13
combination of the audimeter (more on this later), personal interview's and mail ballots. The results of the NCS study reported station listening in various degrees of intensity in each county containing 10,000 or more homes. Counties with less than 10,000 homes were grouped with one or more adjacent counties to form a "county -cluster." Listening in each county -cluster was reported in the aggregate, as if the cluster were a single county. The total sample for NCS was 100,000 homes.
The Nielsen Coverage Service reported the following data to its subscribers:
1. Number of homes and number of radio homes in each station's coverage area-day and night
2. Number of homes and number of radio homes in each county or county -cluster in the area
3. Number of homes listening to each station: (a) six or seven days per week; (b) three or more days per week; (c) one or more days per week-day and night
4. Number of homes listening to each station in each county in four weeks, in a single week and on the average day-day and night
5. Percentage of radio homes covered by each station in four weeks, in a single week, on the average day-day and night
6. Weekly circulation of each station by economic groups, by multiple set ownership and by family size
7. Total four -week cumulative circulation, total weekly circulation and total average daily circulation-day and night
If a station has subscribed to either NCS or SAMS, it can be confident that these research services are the soundest studies of coverage available. Practically every national ac-
STANDARD STATION DATA BY COUNTIES AND CITIES
Total
51.1 1952 Weekly 64r7 3er more
County City
R.dio F.mtlie.
Audience I Families %
Dry. or Nigh. Families %
O.Y. or Niglh F.miD..
KINGSpORT 5590 0 M
3622 2643
65 47
1076 391
19 7
2346 1370
42 25
ONIC01 1600 0 M
3501 3147
95 86
2229 2187
79 59
3459 2764
94 75
WASHINGTON 11590 Ñ 12167 83
8654 6212
59 43 1271 9305 23
64
JOHNSON CITY 6890 0 N
6223 6223
90 90
3667 3311
53 45
5556 5222
e2 7
TENNESSEE TOTALS 59204 28548 6616 43077 18292 32033
VIRGINIA
DICKENSON 4340 e
22 223 5 446 10 IT'" LEE 7410 D
N 3678 1050
50 14
1811 262
24 4
2941 787
40 11
R000ELL 5530 0 N
2517 845
46 15
1237 164
aa 3
2351 349
43 6
SCOTT 6030 D N
6 37583 16 27.
61 1586 362
26 6
3089 1154 51 19
5NYT6 6570 0 416 22 557 8 096 14 N LT1
NARION 1090 0 433 23 157 8 196 10
TA2EWELL 10610 0 LT
RICNLJNOS 1240 0 261 21 65 S 195 16
WASHINGTON 12430 k 3281 ió
5027 740
18 6
2716 1128
22
RIBE 12280 0 2824 23 726 6 1509 12 N LT
NORTON 1360 D 203 21 56 4 141 10 N 141 10 85 6
VIRGINIA TOTALS 20281 8431 14145 4976 1536 3504
STATION TOTALS 68452 40761 67491 52529 20981 37712
LT - L... than I8N All city .udinc.. .re included in county 6gu... }- All p.rcnN hemp been rounded to neared enN. CepNleN I.S; SlentleN AMII 4 AhewnmeM Lnl..., le.., Mw Sere, M. Y.
l.geU.cSbn el .AN Pepe. le asylum I. pmA16NM .101..1 .rM.. pnml.Jee Nee Shed.M A.dN 6 N.e.wemM Sr.leç a
(Courtcv) Ed Dr. Kenneth Baker)
Fig. 2(a). A Standard Audit and Measurement Services (SAMS) Report
14
NIGHTTIME STATION AUDIENCE AREA Estimated percent of radio families who listen to this station once a week or oftener in the nighttime shown for all
XXX MEHRTE
N ESTRL
JACKSON
LL
UINIEt
KE tRfY
(IAY
KNox
MORGAN
BREATHITT
AREA
IESIR , ununr
TUC 1F Y LET R
VARIAN
SCOTT
27
REEL
14 LEE
counties in which this percent is 10% or more.
LOGAN
15 RUSSELL
RALEIGH
WtOMDFG
TAZEWM1
WASHINGTO
70
BUND
RGIN2 WYtHE
'JMVTH
(.RAY
MOEM
GRES
tERASBE
(ARROLI
ARFEICLAIBORNE HANCOCK HAWKINS
TENNESSEE UNION GRAINGER
KNOK
BtOUNT
JEFFERSON
SfVIER
AIN
GRAHAM
MASON
CHEROKEE
aAY
UNION TOWNS RABUN
WHITE xlBEFM.M
GREENE
25
COCHE
HAYWOOD
JACKSON
0(0NEE
SULLIVAN
52 WA (4444G TO
83
86
MADISON
CARTER
92
MIIENEII
SANCEY 51
44
JOHNSO
27
AY43
Mr DOWEII
ASHE ALLEGHANY SURE
ATUDGE WILKES
ALEXANDER
(ATAWBA
BURK
CAIDWEIL
SAUNEN
EDEII D
RC
BUNCOM9E NORTH 'iRO1L.I 1 `y . íBXCNN
PICKENS
HE NDIR SON
RUTHERFORD
POL
CLEVELAND
GALION
(}ïROKEí GREENYBIE
YOREE
SOUTH CAROLINA \`»KA
ANDERSON
SAARTANBIMG
iIN10N CHESTER
1 .I Fig. 2(b). Nighttime Station Audience Map Accompanying SAMS Report
15
16 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
count and advertising agency regard both services as accurate and impartial measurements.
These modern techniques of coverage definition are infi-
nitely superior to the use of mail -maps or field -strength - measurement maps in presenting a station's coverage.
Whether a station provides its salesmen with SAMS, NCS,
mail -maps or contour -maps, it is essential that the salesman be
thoroughly familiar with his station's official coverage figures
and coverage area. This is the first sales tool to learn how to use, and one of the most useful.
THE STATION'S ACTUAL AUDIENCE
Unfortunately, all the "potential" audience doesn't listen to the station. That portion of the potential audience that does listen is called the actual audience.
While the potential audience is constant, the "actual" audience may vary every minute the station is on the air. In fact, even the term "actual audience" is variable, for the audience listening at 9:06 a.m. is only a part of the total number of listeners for the entire day. And a full day's audi- ence is but a portion of the week's listeners, which in turn is a
fraction of the year's actual audience. So there is really no single actual audience figure, the
statistic being dependent upon the period of time involved. A radio station audience is constantly turning over. During every minute of the broadcast day, people are tuning in to the station while others are turning it off. The result is: the longer the period of time, the larger the total actual audience. It is up to the station to determine whether it will claim average per -minute, per -day, per -week or per -month audience as its standard.
Here is where a distinction must be drawn between "cover- age surveys" (SAMS and NCS) and "audience ratings." Cover-
THE RADIO SALESMAN'S EQUIPMENT 17
age surveys provide actual audience figures for an average day or week or month, as described earlier in this chapter. Audience ratings, such as those published by A. C. Nielsen and The Pulse, Inc., provide actual audience figures for a given hour or quarter hour ... or even, as in Nielsen's case, the actual audience per minute.
Most stations use the "total weekly audience" figures from NCS or SAMS as their total audience count. This base was originally established by BMB because a one -week period embraces the normal station program cycle. Actually, NCS proved that a station's audience over a four -week period was approximately 20 percent higher than its average weekly total. Since national magazines successfully claim an audience based on several weeks of accumulated readership, there is no reason why a radio station's total audience figures should be restricted to a single week's listening.
The station's "total audience" is the equivalent of what newspapers and magazines refer to as "circulation," a term also used frequently in connection with radio audiences. "Circulation," or its equivalent word, refers to what the me- dium delivers. It does not pertain to the audience that the advertiser receives for his commercial message. This is an important distinction. In competitive selling, the radio sales- man constantly faces problems like this: If an advertiser buys an advertisement in Newspaper "A" whose circulation is 75,000, he knows that 75,000 copies of his ad will be printed and distributed. But his ad will certainly not be seen by every- one who buys a copy ... and an unseen ad never sold mer- chandise. Similarly, a program sponsor on Radio Station "B" whose total audience is 75,000 homes obviously will not reach all those homes with his commercial message. In both cases the advertiser will reach a portion (or a percentage) of the total audience delivered by the newspaper or the radio station.
18 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Print media understandably have placed primary emphasis upon circulation figures. Very rarely do newspapers and magazines use percentages of circulation to define the ad-
vertiser's audience. The Advertising Research Foundation and Daniel Starch and Staff do conduct regular studies of
newspaper ad readership. The objective of these studies, how-
ever, is to stimulate better use of newspaper advertising, not to decimate the circulation the advertiser buys by revealing what he actually receives.
Unhappily, radio has not been so intelligent. Ever since the 1930's, radio has overstressed ratings. Ratings are measure- ments of program audience size or program popularity. They do not attempt to measure the station's total circulation or audience. Ratings of radio programs should never be com-
pared to circulation of other media. You might as well com-
pare the attendance at a Carnegie Hall concert with the population of Manhattan. Frequently, the radio salesman faces the ratings -versus -circulation question from prospects highly indoctrinated by newspaper salesmen. The radio man's best answer is in the form of a question: "How many people actually read individual newspaper ads?" Although an ad readership audience is not statistically comparable with the audience delivered by an individual radio program, the comparison is much closer than identifying print circulation with radio program audiences.
RATING SERVICES
All rating services do not attempt to measure the same thing. It is fundamental that the radio salesman understand the major characteristics of the principal rating services. He must be informed not only of the services used by his station but of those of competing stations as well.
The radio rating services in general use today are: Nielsen
THE RADIO SALESMAN'S EQUIPMENT 19
Radio Index, Hooperatings, Pulse ratings and Conlan ratings. All four have one thing in common: none gives information comparable with the others. All too often people who should know better use two services interchangeably. No two are comparable.
Nielsen Radio Index
The Nielsen Radio Index measures radio -set usage minute - by -minute in a representative group of U. S. homes through mechanical devices installed in radio receivers (audimeters). The audimeter makes a record on tape of the exact instant a radio is turned on and of the station tuned in. If the dial is switched to another station, the audimeter records the change. After a sample week, the audimeter tapes are sent to Nielsen's Chicago headquarters, where they are processed. From the sample of homes represented by the audimeter tapes, Nielsen determines the percentage of homes tuned in to each program. If a set was tuned to a program for at least one minute during the broadcast time, the home in which that set is located is included in the "total audience." If the set was tuned in for six minutes or more, it is included in the "Nielsen Rating" percentage.
The biggest advantages of Nielsen ratings are: (1) Their projectability. (Nielsen percentages can be projected to the number of homes in the entire area surveyed.) (2) Their in- fallibility. (The audimeter, unlike human beings, is not sub- ject to forgetfulness, misunderstanding or dishonesty.) (3) Their comprehensiveness. (Nielsen can follow audiences minute -by -minute, in and out of various programs, reporting turnover of audience, audience accumulation, rises and falls of audience during each minute of the program, flow of the audience to and from other programs.)
Nielsen is primarily a service for networks. Only five city
20 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
areas -New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cincinnati and
Pittsburgh -have sufficiently large samples of audimeter-
equipped homes to make local Nielsen ratings possible. Niel-
sen has announced plans, however, for further expansion of
local market surveys.
RADIO HOOPERATINGS
OTY: 331113, 20.3. DATES, xolnu 121, 1933
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PROGRAM nR , r Il PROGRAM um
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PROGRAM NM
100 116 64I41y.y. 0.4 6.1 Re» 4n1d. 1.0 93 .....r .... 0.9 8.1 510 goody 2.4 21.6 man . 0.1 IA
105 0.7 0.5 43 3351. 01.0.0 0.9 6.4 06 5.6 9420 Try 321 352 yn rrly 02 IA
0.1 IA 31yy1yy... IS 14.5 '0.I 3 3w m n 4.5 Y.9 ö.l'udwt 09 53 1330106
I03102 31. 02 13 032400.....09 63 3rr.r 24,36 353 OA 7.4
200 0.9 Ifelf.xleery 0.1 13 cyun 46o 04 2.6 f 0.7 6.5 3111443 3.y. 36 32.5 5Plnto15 .1 10.4
205 10.4 tt 0.1 1. 09 86 6«3.3.n, 23 27.2 01 Tr enw 1.0 10[
2.30 11.6 0.1 12 91.115,6. 0.1 12 0.4 3.7 2.6 322 . 1.1 9.0
03 0.1 IS 3u0M. 09 5.4 04 .G 14.1. / I.) 16.0 12 IOJ 2.95
320 92 31y
C1140.1 13 0.7 76 M,j 06 ..y Von 31ó y, 0 6 9.1 04 9.1
3.15 92 04 4.5 332 or 5.7 0.7 7.5 0.4 4.5 R6. 6f Eb. 04 9.0 0.5 66
333 09 0.1 IS .:=2. 1.1 0A 0.6 52 y MM. 1.13 169 1.1 104
305 10.4 r9T150311yy 0.7 69 ............0.7Mae.T.u. Dr. Mae. 23 222 . 12 11.1
640 yp 06 5J 3yn.ÿ. 06 52 04 36 ¡e6.c¡' 10 106 . 16 101
605 73 0.7 93 06 7.4 0.4 54 I.tn Of MY 03 11. 06 TA
6330 96 03 66 0.4 33 0 03 36 3.44.W 09 103 3`odl.,y3 09 103
I145 96 >l15 Rommut 09 9.1 12 12.1 04 43 3yuty tu. 2.0 212 04 6.1
50D 11.1 04 34 1.1 10.0 YN.od / 1.0 89 31Y. t.luy 22 20.0 St
5.15 12.7 OA 6.5 Fwe..9 yyp 06 43 03 63 tort »my 24 183 Plal 3w Il
5.30 119 trn Sly 0.7 66 3ff 5.3 úM15 14 BA 6.w - 6.. ..I M9 ffpaif 500
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1
(Courtesy of C. E. Hooper)
Fig. 3. Typical Page from a Hooperating Report
Hooperatings
C. E. Hooper, Inc., has specialized in radio program ratings
since 1935. "Hooperatings" are based upon the coincidental
telephone method. A random sample of numbers is selected
from the local telephone directory. The respondents are
asked three simple questions: (1) whether they are listening
to the radio at the moment, (2) what program they are listen-
ing to, and (3) over what station the program is reaching
THE RADIO SALESMAN'S EQUIPMENT 21
them. Through the answers to these questions, Hooper is capable of providing a wealth of information on radio listen- ing: the percentage of radio sets in use during each quarter- hour period, the percentage of radio sets tuned to each program (the "Hooperating"), the share -of -audience between radio stations (the percentage of the tuned -in audience listen- ing to individual stations), the relative popularity of all pro- grams heard in the area and, of course, changes in listening since the previous report.
Hooperatings are not projectable to all the radio homes in a station's coverage area unless the entire area is surveyed. Normally, Hooper surveys embrace telephone homes in the metropolitan area only, and listening beyond the city area cannot be assumed to be identical with city listening. Hooper offers several advantages to local stations: a high degree of acceptability in the trade, rapid reporting of results and rela- tively low cost.
Pulse Ratings
The Pulse, Inc., conducts local radio audience surveys throughout the United States. Pulse ratings are determined by personal interviews with people selected at random. Per- sons interviewed are asked to name the radio programs that they have listened to during the day and/or the previous evening. The interviewer shows his subjects a list of pro- grams on each station to jog their memories (the "aided re- call" method). Pulse, like Hooper, reports the percentage of radio sets in use by the quarter-hour, the percentage of sets tuned to each program (the "Pulse Rating") and the share of the tuned -in audience among the stations heard in the area. Also like Hooperatings, Pulse ratings are not project - able to the station's entire coverage area unless the entire area is covered in the survey. (Normally Pulse interviews
TQ PD13H,IDC. TuesOay,January-Pebruary,1954
100$ YARDSTICK TES PULSE OP PORTLAND
Base for Each } Hour 400 Homes
8400 PN Rating Share Rating Share
Symphonette 3.8 ,B Muelcskt1
8 One Men's Family 0 Lovella Parsons 9S
Take A Number 2.0 Free Por All
bob MCAnulty Show 3.
gars using Radio 30.5
Syaphonette Basketball News et The World
Oaken Drake Take A Number Bsiketell Bob O0Anulty Show
Romeo Laing Radio
8,30
John Undercook Basketball Dinah Shore Lowell Thor. Rita -All Times Basketball Bob MOAnulty Show
Komas using Radio
12 RSR 3.0 ? 2 11000 1.3
27 KOw 11.0 33 22 30 cozy 7.5
16 KPO3 7.3 21
7 KVAN 2.3 4
5 g1...
1.3 4
100 33.8 100
3.3 11 gEI 2.8 !
1.0 3 EGON 1.3
7.8 25 ROW 11.3 37
9.0 29 KOIN 6.3 21
5.0 16 1003 5.8 19 2,5 8 KVAM 2.0 7
1.5 5 0173 1.0
1. 6 m....1.3 3
100 30.8 100 30.5
3.0 10 KRY 2 10 .5
1.3 4 0000 9 3
6.3 21 0044 py 3 i
36
33 K01N 4.3 6
4,895 16 KPOJ 6.0 23
2.3 8 !EVAN 2.0 8
1.5 5 R033 1.0
2.0 7 Misc. 1.26.3
1Ó0 29.3 100
8,45
Kt Favorite Marie 2].8
Basketball 1:} Prank Sinatra Fluidly Skeleton Z.8 Bits -011 Times 2.0 Basketball Bob McAnultp Show
Romer using Radio 27
178 081 Teen13 Ch16 Tot.188
lbd
10 REX 5} ROOK
37 KºO3 7 RYAN
e133
100
1.3
83 4,8 2.3 1.0
22. 1.
Listeners per 100 Romee
Lein! PM
America's Town Meeting Basketball Dragnet Beulah News -Glenn Hardy Basketball Dance Time
Hors using Radio
:12
America's Town Meeting
Basketball Dragnet Bill Hallance »WS,sesos-News ,Orden Basketball Dance Tim.
Homes using Radio
America's Town Meeting Baktbl.Muslc 5 O'clock Letter,Bandwagom Co®.Believejpot,Orch Fulton Lewis Jr. Basketball Dance Time
Homes using Radio
5 Christian Selene 4 Basketball,D.Novack,SDta 16 5 O'C1ock Letter,Handwsgon 8 Dance Orch
21 wiemer,Spts Hilites 10 Basketball 4 Let's Go To Town
5 100 Home. using Radio
082 181 Teen14 Ch12 Tot.189
(Courtesy of Dr. Sydney Roslow)
Fig. 4. Typical Page from a Pulse Rating Report
22
THE RADIO SALESMAN'S EQUIPMENT 23
only in metropolitan areas.) Pulse, of course, covers people in non -telephone as well as telephone homes, an advantage over Hooper. However, human error, through failure to re- call programs accurately, is a Pulse disadvantage that Hoop - er's coincidental telephone interview tends to overcome. Both Hooper and Pulse surveys have a wide degree of accept- ance in the trade. Since their methods and their bases are totally different, though, Hooperatings and Pulse Ratings cannot be compared interchangeably.
Conlan Ratings
Robert S. Conlan Associates specializes in radio audience surveys in medium-sized and smaller markets. Conlan uses the telephone -coincidental -interview technique modeled after Hooper. The information reported is also similar to Hooper's (sets in use, rating and share of audience). The average sam- ple per quarter-hour period is 110 homes. Conlan provides an economical rating service that may be particularly useful in local or regional selling. Conlan ratings, however, do not have the widespread acceptance among national advertisers and agencies that Hooper and Pulse ratings do.
Radio salesmen have probably contributed more than any other group of people in the industry to encourage overuse of rating statistics. The practice of rushing to a client every time his rating goes up puts the salesman in a totally vulner- able position when the same client's rating goes down. For years clients and advertising agencies have been led by radio salesmen to believe that ratings constitute the primary test of the success or failure of programs.
Because their ratings were disappointing, hundreds of ad- vertisers have fled the medium, firm in their conviction that radio advertising failed.
Today's radio salesman would do well to profit by the
24 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
mistakes of his earlier counterpart. The emphasis should
always have been placed, not on program ratings, but upon
sales results: the ability of the medium to sell a product or an
idea. That is the true test of any advertising medium. Radio,
it happens, does very well in this department.
CHAPTER 3
The Radio Salesman and His Product
PROGRAM SCHEDULES AND AVAILABILITIES
Before making his first call on a prospect, any salesman should be thoroughly familiar with the sales value of his product. This axiom is particularly true of the radio sales- man. The successful radio salesman must know his station's programs intimately. Obviously, he must be well informed about such basic facts as the program's starting date, its tal- ent, its format and its time of broadcast. Knowledge of many additional not -so -obvious facts is equally important.
Here are a few things a salesman should know about a program before he offers it to prospective advertisers:
1. The Location of the Program. To say it's "on" at 8 a.m. isn't enough. Analyze 8 a.m. in your market. What pro- gram precedes 8 a.m. on your station? To what audience does that program appeal? Is it a successful program for its sponsor or sponsors? What program follows your 8 a.m. show? Is it successful in attracting audiences? Does it have a record of selling its sponsor's goods? What programs are broadcast by other stations in your market at 8 a.m.? Is the competition strong or weak? Has your strongest competition been gaining or losing during the
25
26 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
last year? How does your station rank with other sta-
tions at 8 a.m.? Are you gaining or losing? Is your 8 a.m.
program slanted to the same audience as your competi-
tors' programs or to a different audience?
2. The Advantages of the Time Period. What are people
doing in your town at 8 a.m.? Who is at home listening
to the radio? When do most people go to work in your
city? When do the children go to school? When do
housewives go shopping? (If yours is the "typical" city,
8 a.m. will find this situation: At 8 a.m. an advertiser
can reach the entire family, before the husband goes to
work, before the kids go to school and, importantly,
before the housewife shops. He will reach the family
during the impressionable early morning hours before
they have become saturated with advertising of all types.
If yours is a market with television, 8 a.m. on radio
will be attractive because of relatively weak competition
from TV.) 3. The Content of the Program. Who is on the program?
How popular is he in your area? What is his background
as an entertainer or radio performer? Has he won any
awards of special recognition? What is his record as a
salesman of products for his sponsors? What does he do
on the program? Why has your station chosen to pro-
gram this feature at this time in this market? What
specific factors make the content of the program attrac-
tive to the radio audience? What makes it commercially
appealing? How successful is this type of program in
other markets? 4. The Commercial Appeal of the Program. To what kind
of sponsors does the program offer the best possibilities?
What results has the program produced for other ad-
vertisers? Does the program pull mail from listeners?
THE RADIO SALESMAN AND HIS PRODUCT 27
How much? What results have programs of the same type produced in other cities? Are the commercials handled convincingly? Are commercials integrated into the show or isolated from the rest of the program's con- tent? Will the featured performer endorse the client's product? Will he make personal appearances in the client's store? Will he lend his name to the client to promote his product or service? Will he study the client's business on -the -scene so as to be better equipped to tell his listeners about its advantages? Will the station grant an advertiser product exclusivity on the program? Will the performer refuse to accept another sponsor of the same product on any program on which he appears?
5. The Record of the Program. How long has the program been on the air? What is its sponsor history? Will for- mer sponsors endorse the show to your prospects? What evidence is available about the popularity of the pro- gram? What is its rating history? Has the rating trend been up or down? If down, what does the station plan to do to reverse this trend? What is the program's share of audience? Has it held its own against its competition?
If the salesman will ask all these questions about each avail- ability on his station, he will be on the road to competence in discussing programs with prospects. Rarely will the answers to all these questions be affirmative. Few programs appear attractive on all counts. The salesman and the sales promo- tion man, however, must know both the positives and the negatives of their product.
The real significance of this "cross-examination" of pro- grams is to imbue the salesman with facts, information and background so that he is equipped to talk expertly about his product. One sure way of fumbling a sale is to give the pros-
28 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
pect the impression that one really doesn't know his "mer-
chandise." The antidote for this is simple: (1) Study the facts that the
preceding questions will bring out. (2) Apply those facts in-
telligently in preparing for a sales call.
Where does a salesman get all the necessary information
on program availabilities? Several places. If the station is
blessed with a competent sales promotion department, this
should be the primary source. One of the responsibilities of
the sales promotion department is digging out the facts,
analyzing the information at hand and supplying it to the
salesmen in presentable form.
The sales promotion man should be equipped to provide
data on the background of a program, its talent and format,
its rating history, success stories, audience response stories
and information on adjacent and competing programs.
The sales promotion man who is capable of supplying all
this information is sometimes used, unfortunately, as a
"crutch." Salesmen may refer questions from prospects di-
rectly to the sales promotion man. Or they take the s. p. man
on calls to answer questions, that they, the salesmen, should
answer. Obviously a salesman will make a much better im-
pression if he knows the facts himself. Promotion men are
behind -the -scenes salesmen: researching, digging, inter-
preting, thinking, writing. The salesman is in the front line,
selling. Much valuable information can be obtained from the
talent on your station's programs. It is always a happy situa-
tion when the salesmen are well acquainted with the station's
artists. Closely knit relationships between talent and sales-
men generate morale and understanding. The salesman who
knows performers personally is not only better acquainted
with their capabilities, but he has a personal enthusiasm for
them that radiates itself to the prospect. Also the artist under-
THE RADIO SALESMAN AND HIS PRODUCT 29
stands the salesman's problems and is more capable of keep- ing his sponsors happy.
If the station has a research department (most stations' research is handled by the promotion department), the sales- man consults the research manager for background on ratings, coverage, marketing conditions, media expenditures of advertisers, etc. Frequently, though, where a research de- partment does exist, its raw material is funneled to the sales promotion department for conversion into sales ammunition.
The alert salesman will also pick up an occasional bit of valuable information on programs during his calls, simply by keeping his ears open. Comments about programs on his sta- tion can "plant" ideas for future sales. A prospect remarks: "My wife tried out one of your Betty Burns recipes on me last night-an Armenian dish, I think it was; darned good too." Don't try to sell the man Betty Burns now, but on a later call, you may offer the Betty Burns program, knowing that (a) Mrs. Prospect listens, (b) Mrs. Prospect responds by using Burns recipes, (c) Mr. Prospect got acquainted with shish kebab through the program, (d) Mr. Prospect likes shish kebab. There are many such possibilities. All the salesman has to do to pick them up is ... listen.
"PROFESSIONAL LISTENING"
It is possible for a salesman to follow all the suggestions outlined in this chapter and still not be really familiar with his programs. He may be an expert on the rating back- ground, on details of adjacent and competitive shows, spon- sorship history, sales ability of the show, everything-and still he may not be a listener.
Strange as it may seem, some salesmen actually try to sell programs that they have never heard. It is possible to sell a show on figures alone, but it is wiser to know the show from the listener's viewpoint too. It can get pretty embarrassing
30 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
when a prospect refers to a recent occurrence on a program that the salesman is offering when he hasn't heard the show
himself in weeks! When both the prospect and the salesman listen to the program, the selling atmosphere is much better.
"Professional listening" is necessary. The salesman should listen to his own station as much as possible. He should also
hear what the competition is programming against his station. More realism will permeate his sales "pitches" if he has the "feel" of his competitors' shows as well as his own. He will have a better understanding of the charm and the attractive- ness of his product than either research figures or sales
presentations can supply if he, like thousands of other people, is a listener.
Salesmen can be helpful to the program department by
reporting apparent deficiencies in programs or by commend- ing particularly appealing elements. Salesmen are seldom ex-
perts in programming, but many programs have become
more successful as a result of intelligent suggestions from
salesmen. Essentially, the program and sales departments have a common objective: winning more listeners. Ideas
toward accomplishing this objective may originate as ap-
propriately with one department as another. So, the successful radio salesman should listen ... at home,
in his car, at the beach, anywhere. The more he listens, the
more expert he becomes as a program salesman.
Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the, importance.
of the radio salesman's knowing his product. The degree to
which a salesman takes the principles of this chapter seriously
will determine largely his ultimate success as a salesman. It is always possible to get a few orders on personality alone.
But in the end, the man who knows will pick up most of
the chips.
CHAPTER 4
Preparing for the Sales Call
Acute laryngitis will keep a salesman from making calls. He can't talk. But some salesmen will make calls with "lar- yngitis of the brain." They can't talk intelligently. They have not prepared for the sales call. It is better to be voice- less than thought -less. The chronic ad-libber or breeze - shooter who "just dropped in to say hello" does himself or his station little credit. The first essential of a sales call is having a purpose. If you don't have something specific to discuss, stay away! If you do have a specific purpose, prepare for the call. You'll save everybody time ... and your chances of getting an order are quadrupled.
Time spent in preparing for a call is as valuable as time spent in the prospect's office. The pre -game work is like the submerged part of an iceberg: there's more of it, and it's the most formidable portion of all. Over a period of time, most sales will be made BEFORE the call. The logic, the strategy, the facts and the approach are all preplanned. The call is
simply the physical presentation of all the previously de- veloped ideas.
Preparation for a call starts with the decision of what pro- gram or spot availabilities are to be offered to the prospect. Obvious? Certainly, but people on sales payrolls sometimes
31
32 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
make calls without knowing what they are going to offer when they arrive in the prospect's office. Deciding what to offer the prospect is often a collaborative job between the salesman and the sales manager. There are two criteria for determining what your proposal shall be: (1) what the station wants to sell; (2) what the prospect might logically buy. These are not necessarily incompatible concepts, but they may be. The chief determining factor toward presenting any proposal should be the interests of the advertiser. If the sta-
tion management is eager to sell a home economics show, and you are planning a call on a home appliance store, it only makes sense to offer what the station is "pushing." But station management should never insist on salesmen's offer- ing a certain show "to all prospects." If the program's audi- ence does not correspond to an advertiser's market, it is
illogical to offer the program to him. So before making a call, one should put himself in the
swivel chair of the advertiser. What kind of audience would you be seeking if you were in his shoes? When do you think the best time to reach that audience would be? How would you compare the merchandising advantages of program spon- sorship with the lower cost and frequency of impressions of station breaks?
If you give yourself honest answers to these questions, thinking entirely of the advertiser's interests, your plan will begin to take sensible shape. Look at your program schedule. What programs are available during the best time to reach the advertiser's market? Of those programs, which ones at-
tract an audience similar to the advertiser's market? What is the best program of the lot for this advertiser? When you have sifted the possibilities down to a single program or a
single schedule of station breaks, you have answered the question of what to offer.
PREPARING FOR THE SALES CALL 33
The next question is, Can he afford it? Go back to the advertiser's swivel chair. You agree that this program would make a sound buy, but your budget won't accommodate it. Can you shift money that is now committed to other media? Do you feel that the sales results from radio will be suf-
ficiently large to justify gambling additional money on the program? Or do you feel it is just impossible unless the price is much lower?
If the advertiser likes your presentation but has budget problems, he will ask himself these questions. You'll be better prepared for the call if you have the answers on tap. If you foresee a possibility of his transferring money from other media or from a competing station, get all the facts on the prospect's use of the other media-an estimate on how much he is spending, how long he has used various media, whether there is any indication of unhappiness with his current ad-
vertising. If the prospect does not have an ironclad advertis- ing budget, but can be sold on increasing expenditures for the "right opportunity," a different attack is indicated: con-
vincing him that sales results from your program will make
the investment a good one. If you expect a possibility of mak-
ing not the primary sale, but a smaller one, be prepared with a counter -proposal that offers an opportunity for be-
ginning on a more modest basis.
Advertisers invariably appreciate a salesman's knowledge of their own marketing and merchandising problems, fa-
miliarity with their copy themes, an understanding of the peculiarities of their business. It is good practice to check the prospect's newspaper ads and radio commercials to familiar- ize yourself with his current advertising. You can find out the products being featured, their selling points and the ad-
vertiser's copy approach. You will get a better feel of how
the prospect sells through advertising. With a little imagina-
34 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
tion, this knowledge can be applied toward a constructive plan for the advertiser's use of your station.
In the local market it may be difficult to learn in advance a prospect's marketing and merchandising problems. On the call, however, a few leading questions can bring out much information from the prospect himself. Every businessman loves to talk about his own busines. (Incidentally, when questioning a prospect about his marketing conditions, avoid the urge to ask that tired cliché, "How's Business?" If busi- ness is booming, he may think he doesn't need your radio station to make sales. If it is bad, you're off on a negative note.) The type of questions that will provoke constructive conversation are "I hear you are planning to add a new de- partment in your store. Tell me about it." "What days of the week are usually the busiest for your salespeople?" "Do you get many customers from out of town? From how far do you pull customers?" "I saw your product on display in a tobacco shop. Do you have good distribution in tobacco out- lets?" There are many "gambits" like these. If you are think- ing primarily of the prospect's interests, many such questions will occur to you. And they will get results. The prospect will know that you are interested in his business. You will acquire valuable information that you can use on future calls. The important thing to remember is: Plan in advance of the call to ask intelligent, provocative questions that will better acquaint you with the advertiser's problems and in- terests.
Selecting what to offer the prospect and plotting your strategy are two important elements of pre -call work. Equally essential is the development of the sales "pitch" itself. This is the "why" of the call ... why the advertiser should buy your proposal.
In some cases you may decide that a full written presenta-
PREPARING FOR THE SALES CALL 35
tion is indicated. Chapter 21 is devoted entirely to the preparation of sales presentations and contains many ideas on assembling information for verbal as well as written presentations. Regardless of whether you plan a written presentation or "just talk," your call will be most effective if you are armed with all the important sales ammunition pertinent to the specific proposal.
First of all, know the program. Be up-to-date on the format of the show (or the format of programs adjacent to station breaks, if that is your proposition). Know the recent sponsor history of the show and its success stories. Be aware of recent publicity accorded the show and its talent. Check evidences of audience reaction. Even if you are familiar with these elements, it is a good idea to query the promotion and pro- gram departments for any new information.
The next step is getting together the "arithmetic" on the program. Assemble all the figures that contribute to the sales argument. If the prospect is not acquainted with your sta- tion's coverage area and total audience figures, these es- sentials should naturally be pointed out. Never use figures just to impress a prospect. Only those statistics that have a direct, positive bearing on the case are worth while. On some calls, it will be advisable to use rating statistics to prove upward trends in popularity, superiority over competing programs, size of audience, etc. On other calls, ratings may bore the prospect. If the prospect is unfamiliar and uncon- cerned with radio research, don't push it. You might end up selling research instead of a program! Sound judgment will determine the role that ratings should play in each in- dividual call.
An interesting competitive analysis between a radio station and newspapers is the "dollar -buy" comparison. The dollar - buy comparison simply contrasts what a given amount of
36 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
money will buy in newspapers with what the same sum will
buy on the radio station. For example, if the prospect is
using 200 -line ads twice a week in a newspaper and his agate
line rate is 30 cents, you know that he is spending $120 per
week. Given that $120, what kind of schedule could he buy
on your station? If your daytime one -minute announcements
are priced at $12 on a long-range contract, $120 would, of
course, buy ten of them: ten impressions per week com-
pared to two in newspapers; ten full minutes of selling com-
pared to the time it takes to read two small newspaper ads;
exposure six or seven days per week instead of only two;
reaching different people through spots in programs attract-
ing different audiences, compared to reaching relatively the
same people in newspapers; a larger potential audience;
more flexibility of commercial message (i.e., last-minute copy
changes); and (the snapper) "all for the same price."
One of the most valuable sources of newspaper -radio com-
parisons is the Advertising Research Bureau, Inc. (ARBI).
ARBI has conducted surveys in dozens of markets to deter-
mine the comparative results of radio advertising and news-
paper advertising. These studies, executed in cooperation
with local retailers, work like this: A local advertiser places
X dollars in newspaper ads and the same amount in radio
commercials during a test week. The same product, same
price and same selling points are advertised in each medium.
As each customer arrives in the store at the counter where
the advertised product is displayed, ARBI asks where he
learned about the advertised "special." Each answer classi-
fies the customer into one of four categories: (1) attracted
by radio, (2) attracted by newspapers, (3) attracted by both,
(4) unaware of advertising in either medium. In the over-
whelming majority of cases, radio attracts more customers
for each dollar spent than newspapers. And more signifi-
PREPARING FOR THE SALES CALL 37
cantly, more of the customers attracted by radio buy the advertised product. The ARBI studies are invaluable weap- ons for the radio salesman engaged in competitive selling. Copies of the studies may be obtained from the Broadcast Advertising Bureau by member stations.
Another device sometimes used in competitive selling is estimating the number of families the prospect is reaching through his current advertising and comparing this with the audience your proposal will deliver. In order to accomplish this accurately, you would need a readership report on his newspaper ads and/or. the ratings of his current radio pro- grams. Readership reports (conducted by Daniel Starch and Staff and the Advertising Research Federation) are, unfor- tunately, rare. However, estimates of readership based on several ads of various sizes are contained in a Starch report entitled, "How Much Attention Can You Expect with Your National Advertisements in Newspapers." Every station should have a copy. With this report, you can find the aver- age percentage of people who "note" (i.e., "see" an ad but not necessarily read it) newspaper ads of varying sizes. By applying a "noting" percentage for the size of advertisement used by your prospect to the local newspaper's circulation, you can come up with a fair rough estimate of the number of families he is reaching. Whatever size ads he uses, you can find average readership percentages in Starch's "How Much Attention...."
If the rating service your station uses provides "project - able" figures, you can simply multiply a program's rating by the number of families in the area surveyed. The result is the number of families the program reaches.
To bring the comparison down to dollars and cents, the cost per thousand homes delivered by the newspaper ad versus the radio program can be estimated. The process is
88 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
simple: divide the cost of the ad or the program by the
number of homes reached. Radio, incidentally, will usually
emerge on top. To illustrate, here is a simple example:
Newspaper circulation 100,000
Average readership of quarter -page ad (i.e., percent "noters") 14%
Number of homes reached by quarter -page ad 14,000
Cost of quarter -page ad $180 0.0128
14,000 1180.0000
Cost per home reached $ 0.0128
Cost per thousand homes reached $12.80
Radio station "circulation," (number of homes) 300,000 Rating of program (if "projectable") (per-
cent of all homes listening) 6%
Number of homes listening 18,000
Cost of time and program (quarter-hour) $100 0.0055
18,000 100.0000
Cost per home reached Cost per thousand homes reached
$0.0055 $5.50
Cost -per -thousand comparisons based on "noting" per-
centages of ad readership versus program ratings are highly
controversial. Generally speaking, they are unacceptable to
the research directors of the larger advertising agencies. On
the other hand, some local advertisers want to compare
media on a cost -per -thousand basis, regardless of the statis-
tical shortcomings of the technique. The salesman should use
cost -per -thousand comparisons warily. Prior knowledge of a
client's receptivity to such comparisons will govern the de-
sirability of using them.
A salesman should never sell a service on his station with-
out giving the advertiser an opportunity to hear what he is
buying. In most cases this will be no problem, for the ad-
PREPARING FOR THE SALES CALL 39
vertiser will already be familiar with the show. But if he has never heard the program, he should be urged to do so, by listening to it in his home, by hearing a recording of the program at the station or by hearing a recording in his office. (Some stations provide salesmen with portable tape record- ers or phonographs, which can be used to audition programs in the prospect's office or store.)
Auditions of programs are most effective when the pros- pect's own commercial messages are "dubbed" into the record. Although time-consuming, this device makes a real impression on the prospect and at the same time demonstrates exactly how his commercials would be handled. Many an order has been written as a direct result of a well -planned, skillfully produced audition, tailor-made for the individual advertiser.
Finally, before making the call, the salesman should know what promotion, publicity and merchandising services are available to the prospective sponsor. The promotion and publicity manager keeps records on the amount of on -the -air promotion, newspaper advertising and publicity and other promotional media used to build audience for each program. Normally, a commitment can be made on the amount of additional publicity and promotion a program will receive if it is sold.
All this is good sales ammunition, for it demonstrates to the prospect that the station has a spirited interest in gaining the largest possible audience for him, conspicuously increas- ing the value of his purchase.
Similarly, if the station is equipped with a merchandising division, specific services available to the advertiser should Form a part of the presentation.
It is evident that a salesman cannot afford to prepare for every call in the comprehensive manner outlined in this
40 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
chapter. If he did, nine -tenths of his time would be spent in
the office. However, to produce the most effective calls and
the most sales, a salesman must be conscious of all these
things. Actually, after following this detailed and compre-
hensive procedure on several calls, the salesman becomes
more familiar with many facets of selling that are common
to most calls. The time of preparation for each call con-
sequently becomes reduced. As a wrap-up to this chapter, here is a check list of in-
formation that might be developed preparatory to a typical
sales call, in this case a call on a local dairy. Careful study
of these points and the practical application of them on a
few sales calls will result in better prepared, more purposeful
presentations.
About the Dairy 1. Distribution area 2. Relationship of truck deliveries to grocery sales
3. Rank among competitors 4. Chief selling points of individual products 5. Current advertising theme(s)
6. Selling focus on mothers? entire family? children?
7. Number of years in the community 8. List of products and trade names
9. Approximate advertising budget 10. History of advertising media used
11. "Standing" in the community 12. Name of advertising agency and account executive, if
any
About Your Station 1. Coverage area compared to dairy's distribution area
2. Potential audience (number of families in area)
3. Rank among competitors 4. Clients on the station and list of oldest clients
PREPARING FOR THE SALES CALL 41
5. Cost -per -1000 comparison with competitors 6. "Dollar -buy" comparisons 7. Successes of advertisers on your station 8. Audience -response stories emphasizing audience to
which dairy addresses its advertising 9. Rating trends
10. Attractiveness of station rates 11. Leading talent and best-known programs 12. Promotion, publicity and merchandising services
About the Program You Will Recommend 1. Time of broadcast and why it will reach dairy's market 2. Advantages of time 3. Rating of program 4. Names and ratings of competing programs 5. Preceding program-rating and type of audience 6. Following program-rating and type of audience 7. Rating trend of program 8. Format (what happens on the show) 9. Talent (ability, background, popularity, future)
10. Type of audience attracted identified with dairy's market
11. Estimated number of listeners 12. Sponsors of program-current and past 13. Sales results produced by program 14. Audience response to program (mail, phone calls, etc.)
emphasizing response from dairy's type of market 15. Rank of program among similar types of shows in com-
munity 16. Audition recording with dairy's commercials dubbed in 17. Who does the commercials? Integrated or separate? 18. Audience promotion of the show-past and future 19. Publicity of show 20. Merchandising possibilities for the dairy
CHAPTER 5
The Sales Call
Any author would be unspeakably presumptuous to pro-
pose a formula on "How to Make a Sales Call." Such is not
the intention of this chapter. There is no single "right way"
to make a call. (There are plenty of "wrong ways.") Sales-
men are not robots, and a salesman's pitch is not a stock, pre-
meditated, memorized collection of pat phrases. From the
moment a salesman enters the prospect's office, the complexi-
ties of human nature are paramount. The most neatly con-
structed sales talk in the world may become worthless in the
office of the informal, low-pressure prospect. The greatest
little joke extant makes a thud with the fellow who has no
sense of humor. The most undeniably accurate statistics can
bring yawns from the man who is worried about whether
those fifty cases of coffee will arrive in time for the week-end
rush. If you have fifty accounts, you should make fifty different
"types" of sales calls. You will make some sales after weeks
of statistical analyses. Other sales you will make quickly over
lunch because your presentation caught the imagination of
the próspect. Prospects are people, and people are individual-
ists. The successful salesman will study the idiosyncrasies of
each prospect individually. 42
THE SALES CALL 43
The first call should be the "sizing -up" call. One begins to learn what the prospect is like: his taste, his background, his characteristics, his peculiarities, his personal relationship to his business. As is true in all human intercourse, one auto- matically "classifies" everyone he meets. On a sales call, ex- treme sensitivity to the personal characteristics of the prospect is of great importance. Not only does the salesman size up his prospect, the prospect reciprocates too. First im- pressions are vitally significant. The salesman must be alert to present himself as favorably as possible. The relationship between salesmen and prospects will vary in accordance with many psychological factors. The salesman should attempt to adjust himself to the characteristics peculiar to each indi- vidual prospect and deal with each prospect accordingly.
One relatively constant characteristic of human nature is resistance to being "sold." Whether the prospect shows cold, discourteous hostility or apparently complete willingness, re- sistance is present. Though every salesman is keenly aware of this, some of them do not recognize its influence on future sales progress. The tough customer frequently buys quicker than the completely cooperative one. Utter receptivity to your sales talk is no guarantee that the sale will be consum- mated. Nor should total resistance be discouraging. The de- gree of resistance is neither a help nor a hindrance in the long run, if the salesman develops his proposition skillfully.
Let's take the two extremes: the dominating, aggressive, self-satisfied type and the kindly, mild-mannered, indecisive variety. Call the former Mr. Adam, the latter Mr. Baker.
Mr. Adam doesn't buy radio because it's a waste of money. He has built his business from scratch without spending a nickel on radio advertising. He never listens to the radio, so naturally no one else does. He is satisfied. So what can you do for him?
44 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
If you want trouble with Mr. Adam, just try this argu-
ment: Most people do listen to the radio, even though Mr.
Adam doesn't. Radio isn't a waste of money: it delivers more
people per dollar than any other kind of advertising. He
may have built his business without radio, but who's to say
it wouldn't have been bigger with radio. The next step in
this episode is argument. And argument with Mr. Adam is
the one thing that promises no sale. Mr. Adam is right .. .
and he dislikes and distrusts people who imply that he might
be wrong. Too often, our own personal convictions get away with us,
and we become ensnared in arguments with people like
Adam. Nothing could be worse.
Tell Mr. Adam what he wants to hear, subtly working in
your sales story. Compliment him on his store, especially the
newest improvement he has made. Tell him he is a good
advertising man, that you see his ads in the newspaper and
as a professional advertising man yourself, you think they are
real stoppers. (Mr. Adam will always run "stoppers.") Ask
him about his plans for the future. Get him to talk about
himself and his business. Then you talk about your business.
Like Mr. Adam, your station has great plans for the future.
Though it's not generally known (Mr. Adam loves secrets),
your management is negotiating right now for 2,000 feet of
additional studio space in the Cameron Building. Your sta-
tion's billings have been so good in the last year that ex-
panded service to your sixty local advertisers is necessary.
(Adam respects success, and he didn't miss that off -hand com-
ment about sixty local advertisers.) Speaking of your accounts,
it is amazing the results that some get through radio and the
total lack of results that others get. It seems to you that those
who have good products, a good store and real, aggressive
commercials on the air are always happy, but some of your
THE SALES CALL 45
accounts do not seem able to produce commercial copy that sells. At this point, Mr. Adam will contribute some opinions on how lousy some radio commercials are. You agree and bemoan the fact that some radio advertisers aren't smart enough to tell listeners simply and forcefully why they should buy their products. Adam may then have an idea on what he would consider a real radio commercial. (At this point, he's the radio expert. Who said he didn't listen?) Before the con- versation goes too far, Mr. Adam is told that he has been generous with his time, that you hadn't intended to take so much of it (he has done most of the talking), but that you would like to drop by again next week to talk about a specific idea you have. You will have made the biggest sale on this call: the weakening of total resistance. The next call will be easier; the third, better; the fourth, even pleasant. And once you have won Adam over, he won't dawdle. He's a man of action. He buys.
Now for contrast, take Mr. Baker. He is quiet, conserva- tive, mild-mannered, courteous. His kindness, you suspect, is more out of fear of unpleasantness, than an honest in- terest in what you are selling. He is the opposite of Mr. Adam, nonaggressive, soft-spoken, almost patronizing. Well, Baker in many ways will be harder to sell than Adam. Be- cause Baker can't make a decision.
When you relate the story of your vast audience, Mr. Baker will say that's wonderful, that he and Mrs. Baker listen to your station very often. The success of other local advertisers on your station apparently impresses Baker very much. (He knows that he could never be so "lucky" though.) He is amazed by your audience mail story. Impressed with the talent on the station. He thinks you are just great. But he won't buy.
Why won't he buy? First of all, he is afraid of spending
46 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
money unless he knows he will get a profit back. (He never gambles.) Secondly, he has no imagination. He hasn't the faintest conception of how he would advertise on your sta-
tion. Third, he 'fears the thought of trying something new. If it doesn't work, he may be criticized.
Handling Mr. Baker requires real skill. You have to as-
sume the role of the leader. Direct his thinking along the paths that you plot. Show him how easy good selling com-
mercials are to prepare. Write some commercials for him and have them dubbed into a recording of one of your programs. Give him information on the ARBI studies to show that radio is no gamble, that it practically always pays off at the cash register. Tell him how other local advertisers have used your station and the results they achieved. Convince him that, through assistance from your station, a real professional sales job can be done. Finally, when you arrive at a specific
recommendation, sugar-coat it and make it cheap. Baker may
finally come in if the venture is painless. And when he does come in, it will be necessary to nurture the account, to make every effort to see to it that the commercials pay off. When Baker discovers that he too can make money through radio advertising, he may increase his schedule and become a stable account.
Somewhere between the extremes of Mr. Adam and Mr. Baker are most of the people on whom you will call. You
will seldom find any two alike. There is no formula that will promise results. But the story of Mr. Adam and Mr.
Baker should illustrate a point: Size up what makes the
prospect tick and plan your entire sales strategy accordingly.
With imagination and intelligence and the will to apply them in selling, the salesman will find his own solution to handling each of his prospects. As long as he considers human relations as important as professional knowledge, he will not find suc-
cess an elusive thing.
THE SALES CALL 47
Most prospects consistently appreciate one thing: getting to the point. Starting a call with the latest gag is fine occasion- ally, but avoiding irrelevant small talk is generally advisable. Sales calls are made for business, not social, purposes. Busi- nessmen expect you to talk business. They wouldn't see you in the first place if they didn't have some interest in what you have to say. Don't annoy people with banter. Make your pitch, get the man's ideas and leave.
Since the salesman is the "visitor," he is largely in control of the length of his visit. The courtesy of the prospect must not be abused by overlong calls. Avoid letting a call drag out interminably. Don't try to tell everything you know in a single call. Be brief, stick to the subject at hand and leave an opening for a call back. You should always make the first gesture toward leaving. If your prospect becomes restless, looks at his watch, starts putting in phone calls or shuffling papers, your time is up. End the call gracefully and pleas- antly, but end it.
Selling radio requires a great deal of patience and per- sistence. Some accounts literally may take years to develop. It is rare when an order is signed on the first call. Unless you are selling a special event that requires an immediate yes or no answer, it is wise not to try to wrap up an order on the first call. Considering that once an advertiser has bought, he may remain with the station week in and week out for years, careful, unhurried selling is more than worth the time spent. The rewards of expediency in selling are sometimes unfortunate. It is better not to gain the order than to have a new account fail miserably from lack of intelligent buying. The toughest nuts to crack are not those who have never used radio, but those who have had unsuccessful ex- periences in radio.
Each call-back on an account should be purposeful. Try to contribute something new on each call ... a new idea for
48 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
sponsorship, a low-cost test plan, new information on a pro-
gram's audience growth, ideas on how a prospect's latest busi-
ness development might be promoted. Plan each call-back.
Unless you can think of at least one basic reason for the call,
don't make it. Unlike door-to-door selling, the number of
calls is not necessarily correlated to the number of orders. This does not mean that the salesman should not make
several calls each day. But each call should be planned with a definite purpose if the salesman is to spend his time most
efficiently. Many sources outside the station supply information that
can add reason and meaning to sales calls. The Broadcast
Advertising Bureau supplies its member stations with an
enormous quantity of valuable sales aids: success stories,
media comparisons, industry analyses, radio circulation sta-
tistics, etc. Trade publications like Sponsor and Broadcasting -
Telecasting are excellent sources for similar information. The alert salesman will find that the interpretation of such ma-
terial in the light of the specific requirements of his accounts
will prove highly productive. A success story about a jeweler in
Seattle, for example, may be of interest to hundreds of other jewelry accounts. There are literally thousands of case his-
tories of successful radio advertisers. Many can be found that parallel most types of local accounts. The knowledgeable ap-
plication of the "experience of others" to the local situation can be very rewarding.
The suggestion has been made that careful thought be
given to finding the "right" recommendation for each pros-
pect. Over a period of time, one's concept of the "right" pro-
gram, however, may change. The more that is known about an account, the more possible it is to make intelligent recom-
mendations. Accordingly, a proposal should be kept flexible.
Even though one may be convinced that an advertiser should
THE SALES CALL 49
buy a news program, later it may be found that the frequent impression value of station breaks may serve his objectives better. A good salesman is always ready with a counter-offer if his first proposal does not find receptive ears.
Most of the time the salesman will probably make his calls alone. In some cases, though, it is advisable to ask the sales manager or station manager to accompany him. When an account is getting "warm," either of these station executives can be of inestimable value by backing the salesman with an "official" commitment on what the station will deliver for the account. Prestige will be added to the salesman's ef- forts. The prospect will tend to have more confidence in the station when he knows its top executives personally.
In selling programs, talent can often be helpful on calls. Every sponsor likes to be close to the artists on his show. It is fine if they get acquainted before the prospect becomes a sponsor. Such things as the endorsement of products, per- sonal appearances in the sponsor's store and willingness to work with the sponsor on preparing commercials are much more convincing when committed directly by the program star.
When a useful purpose can be served, the promotion man- ager, publicity manager, merchandising manager or program director may join the salesman on calls. As experts in their respective areas they can document and implement the sales- man's commitment to the prospective sponsor on station services. The salesman, however, should always be the "cap- tain of the team," for the account responsibility is in his hands. The salesman, too, must recognize this responsibility and not lean too heavily on his associates.
CHAPTER 6
The Close
Entire books have been written on how to close a sale. At
the risk of oversimplification, the chief basic point of a
successful close seems to be timing. Improper timing loses
millions of dollars of potential revenue each year. Skillful
timing lines the pockets of salesmen with gold. Months of
meticulous work can be thrown overboard by an attempt to
force a close at the wrong time. An idea born over the break-
fast table might close a sale before 10 a.m. A good salesman's
intuition will tell him when the time is ripe for a close. That time will usually not arrive until the seller and the buyer have reached a point of general agreement.
This is a strategic point in the progress of a sale. It is the
point where the prospect begins selling himself. No one likes
to buy a product unless he is sold on it. So in the last stages
before the sale, the buyer usually starts talking like the sales-
man, convincing himself that the proposal really is a good
buy. This is as it should be. For, basically, the salesman doesn't
make the sale: the buyer does. It is the buyer's decision that counts. As a rule, people don't like to feel that they have been
sold something. It is human nature to prefer buying "on one's own good judgment." The fact that a salesman supplies
50
THE CLOSE 51
the information necessary to make the decision is incidental. The decision to buy is the buyer's. Let the radio salesman always be conscious of this obvious but vital truism.
During every sales call the salesman plants ideas, drops bits of information, gives pertinent information to his pros- pects. As the close is approached, all these seeds begin to sprout and bear fruit. The better the job of informing the prospect in advance, the happier and more convinced he will be at the closing. The more reasons he has been given to buy, the more convinced he will be that his decision is right. Developing the account to the point of the close may be compared to a football game. It may take the entire quarter to move the ball down the field to the one -yard line. A single play makes the touchdown, but without every one of the slowly advancing plays that preceded it, that one -yard plunge would be meaningless.
Let it not be implied that the salesman doesn't have con- trol over the time when the close is to be made. Each of the calls that precede the close is pointed toward that major ob- jective. The salesman has a great deal to do with directing the prospect's thinking toward an affirmative evaluation of radio. The pacing of developing each account is up to the salesman. If an account takes time to develop, it should be given time. Of course, accounts that are already sophisticated in radio advertising require little "education." The sales- man closes sales with such advertisers when his availabilities correspond with the immediate specific requirements of the account.
From the moment the prospect agrees to buy, a new kind of selling job begins. A salesman should never feel that his mission has been accomplished when the contract is signed. On the contrary, there is plenty of selling ahead. The new client must be considered a prospect for advertising on the
52 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
station far beyond the time committed under a single con-
tract. As soon as the sale has been made, the new client must
be made conscious of the station's all-out desire to make his
program as successful as possible.
When the contract is submitted to the account, it is very
advisable to call the buyer's attention to each detail, specifi-
cation and limitation of the contract. Nothing is worse than
"hidden phrases" in a contract that might cause a buyer to
question the whole deal. If there are limiting features in
your contract forms, they should be pointed out and ex-
plained (there must be important reasons for each item in
the contract, otherwise it wouldn't be included). Everything
in the contract should be satisfactory and understandable to
the buyer before he signs. If a clause is questioned, find out
whether it can be amended, and if not, why not.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PREMIERE BROADCAST
After signing the contract, the new client should immedi-
ately be proffered the various services to which he is entitled:
promotion of his program, publicity, merchandising, com-
mercial copy assistance, etc. He should become conscious of
the fact that every member of the station's staff is anxious
to be helpful in every way. Every station executive has a
responsibility in achieving the best results for a new client.
If the new client has bought station breaks, he should not
expect promotion and publicity services. But if he has pur-
chased announcements within a program or a program of his
own, a detailed plan of promotion and publicity should be
assembled and discussed with him. This plan may include
any of the following elements: on -the -air promotional an-
nouncements, newspaper advertising of the program, antici-
pated newspaper publicity and other promotion media (if
used by your station), such as bus cards, billboards, posters,
sate ozan NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.
(Local Facilities Contract --Sound Broadcasting)
AGREEMENT made at this day of 19
between National Broadcasting Company, Inc., herein called "NBC" and
herein Bled "Agency", for broadcasting over
radio station programs, including commercial announcements advertising only the following
product(s)
of herein ailed 'Advertiser."
Bco.sncasr Dan Arrbarnora B'Gat Hoar
Rusr Baoaarwar
Lao Esoacuee
Tor. No. ream
Gaols Ran Pea B'use
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND ARRANGE-11EN S
sen- ri it. iw included
ás norc s
wded .scrv-
RATE CARD No. -
ADDITIONAL CHARGES
NBC will bill Agency monthly and broadcast charges shall be payable by Agency on 15th of month following that of broad- cast_ Gross time charges, after deduction of allowable discounts and rebate, if any, will be subject to an agency commission of 15% if this contract is with a recognized advertising agency. Broadcast time is that current at the specified station. The conditions on the reverse side are part of Nis contract If this contract is with an Advertiser, references to Agency apply to 'Advertiser except no agency commission wits be allowed.
NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC. (Alts.Y)
By By
(Courtesy of NBC Spot Sales) Fig. 5. A Radio Station Advertising Contract Form
53
54 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
movie trailers, taxi cards, local magazines, window or lobby displays. If the client is sponsoring a program that has not been on the air, an especially heavy promotion and publicity schedule should be developed for its première. But even though a show may have been broadcast for years, the client is entitled to an additional promotional push upon the occa-
sion of his initial sponsorship of it. Much capital can be
made for the station by designing an attractive promotion and publicity campaign for a new client's program. The sta-
tion's interest in the client's success is demonstrated dra-
matically. Merchandising services of a station, if any, should be of-
fered to the new client before he goes on the air. These services may include merchandising letters to dealers, in-store
displays, window display tie-ups, etc. For best results the merchandising manager should get together with the new client to learn his objectives and problems before submitting the merchandising plan. In some cases a new client may
wish to use photographs of the star of his new program in displays, newspaper ads or merchandising materials of his
own. Perhaps the most important service to the client prior to
his first broadcast is assistance in the preparation of com-
mercials. If the client has an advertising agency, the copy
department of the agency will most likely write the commer-
cials. In cases where an entertainer on the show is to do the commercials, it is advisable to get him together with the
agency account executive and/or copy writer so that the commercials can be written in the artist's style of delivery.
If the commercials are to be transcribed, the salesman handles
the routine clearance with the station. It is well to have an
understanding with the agency in advance on whether the program's talent will introduce or give "lead-ins" to tran-
THE CLOSE 55
scribed commercials, and if so, the manner in which lead-ins will be handled.
In those cases where no advertising agency is involved, the commercials may be prepared by either the client or the station. If the client does the commercials, liaison with his advertising department is similar to that with an advertising agency. If, however, the client has no facilities for preparing commercials, the salesman becomes the equivalent of his ac- count executive. It is then the salesman's responsibility to see that commercials are written in accordance with the client's instructions.
Most stations employ continuity writers whose job it is to write both editorial and commercial copy. The procedure for handling commercial copy for clients is roughly as fol- lows: The salesman, after conferring with his client, submits the details to be covered by a commercial to a continuity writer. The continuity department prepares the commercials under the salesman's supervision. The salesman clears the copy with the client and handles the necessary revisions. (In some cases the salesman, himself, may write commercials for his clients, though this practice generally is to be discouraged.) Once the client has approved the copy, he should be given copies of each commercial, together with a schedule of the broadcast time of each. The station's traffic department is responsible for seeing to it that the commercials get on the air as scheduled.
Between the date of contract -signing and the new client's first broadcast, a considerable number of details must be handled by the salesman. It is vitally important that the salesman follow through closely on each one. Although there is no standard procedure common to all clients, many specific details are encountered with sufficient frequency to form a general pattern. The check list that follows includes most of
56 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
the details necessary to getting a new sponsor off to a good
start. Rarely will all of these be required for a single account,
but as a base for checking many necessary details, this list
may prove helpful.
CHECK LIST OF PRE -BROADCAST DETAILS
1. Notification of starting date to station management,
program director, the program's producer, traffic de-
partment, accounting department, continuity depart-
ment 2. Setting up procedure for preparation of commercials
3. Liaison with client and/or advertising agency on prep-
aration of commercials 4. Conferences with client on content of commercials if
station is to prepare copy
5. Directing continuity writer in preparation of com-
mercials 6. Clearing copy with client 7. Setting up schedule of broadcast times and dates for
each commercial 8. Liaison with promotion department for promotion
plans 9. Liaison with publicity department for publicity plans
10. Liaison with merchandising department for mer-
chandising plans 11. Setting up meetings with client to present plans de-
veloped for promotion, publicity and merchandising
12. Setting up meetings of talent with program producer,
client and advertising agency to discuss program
content 13. Handling details of talent endorsement of client's
product
THE CLOSE 57
14. Arranging for block of broadcast tickets for client and agency (if program has studio audience)
15. Personally supervising rehearsal of client's commercials 16. Advising client of specific entertainment features on
his first broadcast
CHAPTER 7
Servicing the Account
The best prospects you will ever have are the clients cur- rently on the air. The experience of your clients, happy or otherwise, will determine their future expenditures on your station. At the end of their contract cycle, they have to do
one of four things: (1) renew the contract; (2) expand their schedule; (3) reduce their schedule; or (4) quit. Which of
these four courses is taken will depend largely upon how successful the client's results have been. The achievement of a client's success is the personal responsibility of the salesman. Working toward this end is called "servicing the account."
How important is servicing the account? Isn't it better for a salesman to be out selling new business rather than playing nursemaid to his old accounts? Actually, the question is not which is better. Both are absolutely essential. The man who works greener fields while his current accounts die on the vine is on a treadmill. There's rejoicing at a birth; there's mourning at a funeral. The salesman's job is to increase the account "population." Plenty of births. No funerals.
Let's see what happens when an account is not serviced properly. Jones has sold the Acme Company. It has a good
show and seems happy. Jones hasn't time to be a "service-
man"; he goes a'wooing for new business. "Let Acme alone. 58
SERVICING THE ACCOUNT 59
It'll be O.K." Well, Acme was O.K. until the day it was raining, and Acme's commercial began: "On bright sunny days like today, don't you just love to hit the open road?" Acme calls Jones. Jones is out. He returns too late to call back, and he has a 9 a.m. meeting the next day. When he does get back to Acme at noon, the client's blood pressure is soaring. Jones fast -talks out of this one. Then off he goes to call on another hot prospect. Two weeks later, the mayor broadcasts a speech on the station. On Acme's time. Acme was launching a new sales drive that day. And no one told the company that its radio time was being pre-empted. Where's Jones? Playing golf with a real hot prospect. Jones doesn't have time to check the client on his reaction to the show, the handling of the commercials. Fact is, Jones never hears the show himself.
Thirteen weeks writes finis to the Acme account. Jones makes a last-ditch stand to save the business, but Acme is through.
What's the net? On the credit side: X dollars of revenue for 13 weeks. On the debit side: (1) an open time period, harder to sell now because Acme dropped it so soon; (2) no immediate prospects for the period; (3) a bitter ex -client, who will talk to his Kiwanis friends about how WXXX is nothing but a waste of money.
Is it worth it? Fortunately, people like Jones are rare in broadcasting.
But Jones illustrates the point: The salesman who neglects his current clients loses money for his station. A salesman is hired to make money, not lose it.
A thousand details may plague the salesman in servicing his accounts. But no matter how insignificant a client's re- quest may seem, it should be handled promptly and cour- teously, for every contact with the client is really selling . . .
60 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
selling for the future. The better a client is handled the more
receptive he will be toward renewal and, also, toward ex-
pansion. During the course of handling accounts, certain activities
are encountered with sufficient frequency to warrant special
attention here.
ATTENTION TO CLIENT'S SALES PATTERN
The salesman should follow his client's sales trends. Are
the products featured on his commercials moving well? If
not, why not? What is the general market doing in these
product lines? Is the client improving his position over his
competitors? How do his sales compare with last year's sales?
If sales are rising, does the client attribute the rise to radio?
AUDIENCE REACTION TO CLIENT'S PROGRAM
Many clients will voluntarily quote favorable comment
they have heard from customers. The salesman should ask the
client for such reactions. Do people buying the advertised
product mention the program? If so, what features of the
commercial impressed them? Do customers who have heard
the program seem to have a more favorable impression of
the sponsor than other customers? Do special offers on the air
step up customer traffic? Are associates of the client (branch
managers, dealers, distributors) pleased with the program?
Are the client's sales people conscious of the impact of the
program?
ATTENTION TO AUDIENCE TRENDS
If the situation warrants, the salesman may keep the client
informed on the ratings his program achieves. (Don't make
your client "rating happy." It may destroy you.) Such details
as the latest rating compared to the preceding rating or the
SERVICING THE ACCOUNT 61
rating a year ago can be useful information. Gains registered over competing programs may be cited. Estimates of the number of families reached by each program, and compari- sons with other similar -type programs in the market, may be made. All this may or may not be advisable, depending on the client and the circumstances. Generally speaking, if the client is getting sales results and feeling the impact of the show, ratings are really only frosting on the cake. If he is not getting results, no collection of research statistics is going to mollify him. The salesman must be acutely aware of the fact that the sponsor wants results, sales results. Ratings are fine to prove WXXX is better than WZZZ, but the client doesn't give a tinker's dam about that if his product isn't selling.
INFORMING CLIENT OF AUDIENCE -BUILDING ACTIVITIES
One of the best methods of proving interest in the client's success is the station's effort in building an audience for his show. First of all, an efficient audience promotion campaign has to be assembled. Then after the first few weeks, a report should be given to the client detailing what has been done: the number of promotional announcements broadcast, clip- pings of newspaper publicity and newspaper advertisements, exhibits of other promotional activity. A price tag on the whole package includes the dollar value of each component. The client will recognize such a report as convincing evi- dence of the station's voluntary contribution to the success of his program.
ASSISTANCE IN PREPARING COMMERCIALS
If commercials are written by the station for the client, the salesman must check each commercial with the client. Few clients are professional copy writers, but most are ama- teur ones. Unless the salesman himself is adept in writing,
62 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
the client's suggested changes should be directed to the con-
tinuity writer assigned to the account. In the end, it is the
salesman's responsibility to see to it that the client's sales
points are made as forcefully and as convincingly as possible.
Don't accept blindly the exact words written by a client as
the finished commercial. He expects his thoughts to be ex-
pressed properly. The phrasing he leaves up to the experts.
CHANGING THE PROGRAM
Radio artists, being people, become ill. They also take
vacations. No client will object if a performer on his show
is absent for good reason. Every client will object if he is not
informed of a star's absence, in advance. The sponsor may
have scheduled a big merchandising campaign, centering
around the star of his show, for the same two weeks that the
star makes a pilgrimage to Sun Valley. (This has happened!)
The salesman must inform the client when artists will be
absent and who their replacements will be.
Occasionally an artist will leave a show, voluntarily or
otherwise, and naturally the sponsor must be notified imme-
diately. If the station has replaced the former artist with a
better one, the management's reasons for the move should
be given. Usually the change will be an improvement, so the
client should not object. If, however, the replacement is
apparently weaker than the former artist, the salesman has
to sell the sponsor on the potential of the new man and try
to win the client's willingness to give him a fair chance.
Actually, if the replacement does not produce and business
is lost, the sales department has a legitimate cause for a
meeting with the program director.
As new ideas are created, they may be incorporated into
an existing sponsored show. Improvements in the format of
the program or the addition of new features, though, should
SERVICING THE ACCOUNT 63
be discussed in advance with its sponsor. Usually the client will be pleased, realizing that he is gaining increased values for his money. If, however, a client has an objection to a proposed change in the program, your station management should be informed. If the management decision is contrary to the client's opinion, logical reasons will have to be given to the client for the station's stand. The client, ultimately, should have the option of switching programs if he is not in accord with changes on the program he has purchased. Rarely does this occur, however, for the station and the client are both seeking a successful show, and most clients recognize that the station is more capable of improving programs than they are.
CHANGES OF THE PROGRAM'S POSITION
Program schedule revisions occasionally necessitate the moving of sponsored programs to different time periods. Changing programming concepts, competitive programming, network pre-emption or seasonal special events like football and baseball games may be responsible for such program time shifts. A salesman must develop a positive story to present to his client when program shifts become necessary. Full sales presentations are often prepared to' sell clients on moving from one time period to another. Generally speaking, a sta- tion should not attempt to force a client to move against his wishes during the life of his existing contract. If a client must move because of network pre-emption, such a provision would have been made previously in the original contract.
It is well to consider an advertiser's time period as com- parable to "preferred position" in a magazine. No one would think of dispossessing the advertiser who has contracted for the back page of a major magazine. The sponsor's position, during the length of his contract, should be adhered to firmly.
64 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
The client, however, may wish to change his time period.
If he is not satisfied with his broadcast time, the client may
express a desire to improve it. Several possibilities arise in
such cases.
If an open time period exists that the client desires and if
in management's judgment a move would be beneficial
to the account, the move may be undertaken. A client does
not always exercise the best judgment of time -period values,
though, and he may request moving to a period that would
be disadvantageous to his interests. In such cases the client
should be "sold off" of the idea. The reasons for the station's
reluctance toward the change may make a convincing argu-
ment to the client against the move. As long as the client is
convinced that the station is working for his interest, he
should be inclined to accept its judgment. A situation, frequently encountered, is a client's request
for time improvements when available. The period that he
is eyeing may be sold, but if it becomes available, he would
like the opportunity to switch. A client may request "first
refusal" for an individual period, or for spots in a certain
participation show, or for nighttime station breaks or for
"the first quarter-hour nighttime period that opens up."
If no other account has requested the same service, and
no complications are foreseen, the client should be granted
first -refusal rights. Although such agreements are seldom put
in writing, once a commitment has been made, the station is
morally bound to honor it faithfully. If the client doesn't
exercise his privilege at the time it is offered, the station may
then consider it open to other prospects. Never, but never,
should the client's first -refusal option be ignored. To sell a
new availability to a new advertiser, when a current client is
interested in it, is dynamite. The above suggestions should not be taken to imply that
SERVICING THE ACCOUNT 65
every new availability should be offered to all current clients first. Only those clients who have expressed a desire for a change need be consulted. Offering new availabilities to clients satisfied with their current schedule might even boomerang. The client might suspect an underlying reason for trying to move him. If he is happy, don't muddy the waters.
FOLLOWING THROUGH WHEN MISTAKES OCCUR
The salesman who conscientiously services his accounts will sidetrack many "slip-ups" before they happen. In the afore- mentioned case of Salesman Jones versus the Acme Company, Jones's troubles could have been averted if he had simply paid attention to his client. He would have known that Acme had a "sunny day" commercial scheduled, and he would have seen to it that it was replaced on rainy days. He would have notified Acme in advance that the mayor was going to pre-empt Acme's time. The more carefully a salesman services his accounts, the fewer his troubles. But, in spite of every precaution, mistakes will occur.
The client's reaction to mistakes on his program will de- pend upon the seriousness of the error and, also, upon the chemical composition of the client. If the station is thrown off the air by a power failure at the transmitter or by an "act of God," most clients will understand. Even so, the salesman should get to his accounts affected by air failure with a full explanation, assuring them that they will not be billed for the lost air time.
Every so often a performer will make a bobble on the air. A fumbled commercial should be reported to the client. If the client feels that the error was damaging, he should not be charged for the commercial. The small loss in revenue is
unimportant compared to the resentment that might result from failure to offer a rebate. Good will can actually be built
66 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
by an honest admission of mistakes and by volunteering to "make good" when errors occur. If the error was not actually damaging to the client, a satisfactory adjustment can usually be negotiated.
If program talent broadcasts something objectionable to the client, the salesman should report the complaint to the program department and receive assurance against recur- rences. Unthinkingly, for example, a performer might men-
tion on the air that he had a coke with a friend. One of the sponsors is the local Pepsi -Cola Bottling Company. The sales-
man's phone rings in two minutes flat. Explain please.
Whatever the error may be, the client rightfully expects
the station salesman to give an explanation and to tell him what specific action the station proposes to take. The sales-
man is admittedly in the middle, for he must not only defend his station's position to his client, but he must also represent his client's interests to the station management. The real solution is simple, level-headed diplomacy. The salesman must strive to find a compromise in which neither client nor station is left unhappy.
SELLING COST CHANGES
When a program's cost changes it can go in only two di-
rections: up or down. Both present problems in client rela-
tions. Advancing costs are, of course, rare in radio today. But
some stations still have good reason to increase time costs
and do so. Then, too, program costs may increase. The timing for increasing a client's rates for the same service is virtually always upon his renewal date. Nearly all contracts protect the client against increasing costs for three to twelve months. A general time -rate increase is normally announced at least
thirty days prior to its effective date, and clients are protected
SERVICING THE ACCOUNT 67
for three months to a year from that date, depending on sta- tion policy.
When a client is to be affected by a rate increase, it is ad- visable to prepare the way by stressing the values of his pro- gram well in advance of the renewal date. Sell him on the value of his franchise, so that when the time comes to write an increased figure into the contract, the client will be ame -
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(Courtesy of WAVE, Louisville, Ky.) Fig. 6. A Radio Station Rate Card
nable to paying more for his program. Station management does not increase rates without important reasons. One of these reasons may be increased audience. Clients can be sold on increasing their expenditures when it is proved that they are receiving more circulation. By comparing the cost per thousand homes under the new rate structure with the cost per thousand homes delivered at the time of the last rate increase, it can often be proved that the station delivers more homes for the advertiser's dollar than formerly.
68 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Rate reductions have been more prevalent than rate in-
creases in radio in recent years. Television's influence on the
radio audience in dozens of markets has forced radio station operators to lower rates, especially nighttime rates. (Chapter 9 is devoted entirely to selling radio in a television market.)
Reducing rates actually can present more problems than in-
creasing them. When clients insist on lower radio rates be-
cause of the effect of television, and the station acquiesces,
its weakened position is officially admitted. The more tele-
vision grows, the more will clients clamor for additional rate
cuts in radio. If a radio station surrenders every television -
equipped home in his area to television, it is headed for
oblivion, for the day will come when 95 percent of the radio
homes in his area will also have television sets. The best
station operators are holding the line on radio rates ad-
mirably. When reductions become imperative, they are small.
When rate decreases are made, the salesman should not at-
tempt to camouflage the fact that television is responsible.
He should, however, cite again the current vitality of radio,
its exclusive advantages in areas untouched by television, its
pay-off at the cash register. A rate reduction may well moti-
vate the client into a complete re-evaluation of radio's values.
The salesman becomes less concerned with details. He now
has an entire advertising medium to sell. And he should sell
it ... hard. (Chapter 9 offers several ideas on effective tech-
niques for combating sales resistance due to television.)
Program cost reductions should generally follow the time -
rate adjustments. The reasons for both are identical. In so far
as the client is concerned, lack of adjustment of program
costs when time rates are declining is inconsistent and in-
tolerable. Few program people fail to recognize this.
SERVICING THE ACCOUNT 69
MINOR DETAILS IN SERVICING ACCOUNTS
A few relatively minor points are worth mentioning here, because inattention to them might result in major problems with clients.
1. The client whose show has a studio audience obviously should be provided with a regular block of tickets for each program. Any client's request for tickets to other programs on the station should be fulfilled promptly.
2. Everyone connected with a sponsored program should know the client by sight. Station receptionists should be able to recognize clients. The station's clients should be accorded every courtesy when they are guests of the station. The "red carpet" treatment is important.
3. If a client requests station talent to appear in a Com- munity Chest Benefit or at the Elks Club Ball, the sales- man should attempt to make the arrangements. Every opportunity to demonstrate the station's spirit of co- operation should be utilized; it makes renewal time so much more pleasant.
4. In so far as possible the salesman should be loyal to his client's products or services by shopping in their stores and buying their products.
5. When the salesman is going out of town, his clients should be notified in advance and told who will handle their accounts during the salesman's absence. A small thing, yes, but every client will appreciate it.
There are many "little" things like these that are a part
70 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
of servicing accounts. Without going into further detail,
suffice it to say that in every respect the salesman must be
1. A true representative of his station to his clients
2. A true representative of his clients to his station
In serving them both well, the salesman will work for them
both a long time.
CHAPTER 8
Retrieving Lost Business
Perhaps one of the reasons why the advertising industry is so full of vitality is the omnipresence of "account turnover." The advertising agency, as well as magazines, newspapers and radio and television stations, experiences frequent client changes. New clients come, and old clients go. The transient nature of the business tends to keep people in advertising alert and on their toes. A healthy state. Some of the best adver- tising ideas are sparked by the "crisis" of a client's possible desertion. Everyone has an underlying consciousness of the possibility of losing important accounts. The awareness of this potentiality often keeps a salesman sufficiently on the alert to "save" an account even before it "softens." A per- ceptive and thorough job of servicing the account will go a long way. But in spite of every precaution, some clients will quit. The salesman's future relationship with an outgoing account may depend to a large degree upon his response to the client's resignation. One of the great challenges of sales- manship is retrieving lost accounts. Winning back the prod- igal client is one of the finest demonstrations of capable selling.
71
72 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
HOW TO LOSE AN ACCOUNT GRACEFULLY
The art of losing an account gracefully must be an acquired talent. Natural emotional reactions toward losing a good chunk of business are disappointment, anger, inferiority. A
good salesman brings these emotional reactions under con-
trol. He attacks the problem with one thing in mind: winning the client back some day. The temporary loss of an account is nowhere near as serious as a permanent loss. The sales-
man's treatment of the departing client may influence the client's opinion of the station for years to come. To show anger, to abandon interest in the account during its final broadcasts is devastatingly unwise. It is ridiculous to nullify months or years of pleasant client relations in a few thought- less moments.
Certain principles should govern the salesman's handling of the client who has canceled the station. These principles are largely the application of good judgment.
First of all, once the decision to quit the station becomes final, throw away the sales promotion and abandon the "pitch." The client has made up his mind. Dogged persistence that he reconsider may actually be objectionable to the client. It's a closed issue as far as he is concerned.
It is well to avoid the implication that the client has made a mistake. Disparaging remarks about the station or the newspaper he may be planning to use in place of your station are totally unwarranted. A client knows that the salesman
doesn't agree with his action. If a good selling job has been done, he knows the station's values. But despite this, he has
still decided to leave. This is no time to try to re -sell him, for it can be interpreted as a reflection on his judgment.
The best direction a salesman can take after the client has
definitely given notice that he will not renew his contract is
RETRIEVING LOST BUSINESS 73
one of helpfulness during the final broadcasting period. Those last few broadcasts should be serviced as no others have been. Special attention should be given to every detail. Nothing will gain more good will toward the station than successful programs and pleasant relations up through the last broadcast. There is no better method of dramatizing to the client what he is leaving.
Calls on the account during his final weeks should be made as frequently as before. Attention should be focused on getting the best results out of the final broadcasts. At this stage one may as well forget about the long-range future. That will come later.
A final courtesy call may be made after the last broadcast. The ex -client is thanked for his business. The salesman ex- presses a personal appreciation for the pleasant association, and the hope that he will have the opportunity of working closely with the account again. Then without any reference to the immediate future, the call is completed.
PLANNING TO RETRIEVE THE ACCOUNT
After an account has departed from the client list, it be- comes a new prospect! The ex -client is now a particularly appealing plum for recapture.
Since there are such a variety of reasons for client de- partures, no standard procedure can be given for planning to win them back. However, here are a few typical cases of client departures and suggested approaches for negotiating a return.
Budget Reduction
The client who has dropped the station because of an advertising -budget reduction may later become a good pros- pect for returning. If past relationships have been pleasant, the atmosphere* for future selling should be satisfactory. The
74 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
salesman might keep in touch with this client's merchandis- ing progress, looking out for special sales, expanding lines of merchandise, seasonal items, etc., that might represent spe- cific reasons for a renewed advertising effort. The account must be contacted frequently. Don't let a dormant account become a dead account. A competitor might resurrect it. With past associations forming the backdrop, the salesman should try to establish the understanding that when the ac-
count returns to radio or when he increases his budget, the salesman's station will be given first consideration.
Of course, if the client who departed because of budgetary reasons is still using other stations or other media, the ul- timate goal is proving the superior values available on your station. (See Chapters 4 and 5.)
Shifting to Other Stations or Media
If an ex -client has been "romanced away" by a competing radio station or other competing media, the retrieving job is more difficult. In final negotiations with this client, his reasons for switching to another advertising medium should have been ascertained. If so, the first part of the new sales strategy should be to develop a positive story to overcome whatever deficiencies the ex -client felt existed.
Other features responsible for clients moving to other sta- tions may include: more popular talent, evidence of better sales results, merchandising and/or promotion services, ex- pansion of audience, etc. Combating these points is largely a matter of aggressive selling. Such things as popularity of tal- ent, sales results, audience response are matters of opinion. It's difficult to measure accurately one station against another. But since every station puts its best foot forward, your best re- sults and best talent may seem more attractive to the lost account than the particular results he is getting with your
RETRIEVING LOST BUSINESS 75
competitors. Always keep your most impressive attractions before these prospects.
Selling the account who has shifted to newspaper or other media requires carefully planned demonstrations of the sta- tion's vast audience and proof of its ability to move mer- chandise. The ex -client will be inclined to compare such proof of performance with the results he is actually receiving from the other media. If he achieved poor results while on your station, try to analyze the reasons for failure. Then de- velop a plan for him that eliminates past failings and pro- poses a concrete success -formula for the future. Most ex -radio -clients know that radio has produced for many other companies, but feel that it just wasn't right for them. These accounts should be shown how other advertisers are using radio successfully, and how, specifically, they too may be just as successful if they return to the medium.
Unhappiness over Station or Personnel
The client who "goes away mad" is the toughest of all to win back. Problems of this type will occur in direct correla- tion to the lack of consideration and service by the station. Maintaining warm client relations is the preventative.
There comes a time, though, in every salesman's life when a client leaves the station under unhappy circumstances. He swears he will never spend a nickel on the station again. He has had it!
After the salesman's last apology has fallen on deaf ears, this particular account should be left alone. A call would only result in further unpleasantness. Let him cool off.
In the meantime, get to the bottom of how the defection started. Make an inventory of all the events that led up to the unfortunate climax. The dissension may have been born out of a misunderstanding of rates or commercial treatment
76 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
or program shifting-any one of a dozen things. Future con-
versations should affirm the station's regret for the misunder-
standing. The ex -client is entitled to evidence of measures
taken to prevent recurrences. Whatever the reason for the
cleavage, corrective action should be undertaken before an-
other call is made on the account. Sometimes, it may be virtually impossible to get a bitter
ex -client back on the station. He should never be stricken
from the prospect list, however. Stranger things have hap-
pened in broadcasting than the restoration of an indignant
ex -client to active status. No matter how remote the possibil-
ity may seem, nevertheless the client who "went away mad"
may some day be mailing checks to the station again.
Regardless of the circumstances under which a client leaves
the station, he should never be "written off." As soon as a
salesman throws in the towel on an assigned prospect, he is
awarding his competitors potential business that he has for-
feited.
THE KEY TO RETRIEVING LOST ACCOUNTS
Like every other aspect of successful selling, the key to
re -selling ex -clients is timing. There is a right and a wrong
time to make the first call after the client has departed. There
is a right and a wrong time to make comparisons of your
medium with the medium he is now using. There is definitely
a right and a wrong time to ask for the order. A perceptive
salesman can interpret an account's reaction to each subject
presented on a call. He can get the "feel" of receptivity in
each area of his media discussion. His intuition tells him
when the account becomes more receptive to his story. He
instinctively recognizes when an account is beginning to
"warm up." When he veers off the track, he recognizes the
fact in the reaction of his listener. Effective selling is knowing
RETRIEVING LOST BUSINESS 77
what to say and when to say it. No one can string together a group of words and declare that they will produce results. The ability to say the right thing at the right time depends upon each individual situation.
Sound judgment, intelligence, experience and a little in- tuition: these are the qualities that will retrieve lost accounts. And add one more: patience.
CHAPTER 9
Selling Radio in a Television Market
Last year (1953) people bought more radios than they did
in 1946 before television entered the scene. The American
people now own over 115,000,000 radios-more radios than
refrigerators, telephones, bathtubs or stoves. Has television
made radio obsolete? There are two kinds of people nowadays: those who own
television sets and those who do not. Of those who do own
a television set, virtually 100 percent also own at least one
radio. About 95 percent of the people who do not own a tele-
vision set, though, are radio -set owners. Before we can really
understand radio's place in relation to television, it is neces-
sary to examine these two groups of people, for radio's in-
fluence varies materially between these two groups.
Homes not equipped with television sets may lie inside or
outside a television reception area. It makes no difference
whether a television signal is kicking around or not, if people
haven't the instrument to receive it. So, all homes without
television sets are as completely "radio homes" as they ever
have been. The only difference between radio homes today
and ten years ago is that they have more radio sets today.
More sets naturally promote more total listening within the 78
SELLING RADIO IN A TELEVISION MARKET 79
home. In selling radio in a television market, never forget the fact that X thousand homes in the area are virtually un- touched by television. These non -television homes are totally dependent upon radio for home entertainment. The adver- tiser cannot reach these homes through television.
Television homes are also radio homes. It is very rare to find a television home without at least one radio. Most tele- vision homes, in fact, have more radios than non -television homes! As Fred Allen once said: "Those radios were certainly not bought for book -ends, door stops or to cover up mouse holes." Actually, then, a television home is really a radio - television home. Both media of entertainment are available, and the advertiser has an opportunity of reaching these homes through either radio or television or both.
The big question (and here lies the crux of the entire prob- lem of selling radio in a television area) is how much do tele- vision families listen to the radio.
Fortunately, research has provided the answer. The proph- ets of radio's doom have been discredited by facts.
A. R. Simmons and Associates conducted a comprehensive survey of a typical midwestern television market in 1952 and found that the average person in a television home spends 69 minutes a day listening to the radio. It is not surprising that they spend more time (3 hours 2 minutes) viewing tele- vision, but the substantial amount of radio listening places radio ahead of all home activities except television. For con- trast, the average person spends 36 minutes a day reading newspapers and only 16 minutes reading magazines.
The television set has not replaced radio, but it has had a definite effect on where radio listening takes place. Before television, the average family listened to the radio mostly in the living room. After television is moved into the home, radio listening diminishes greatly ... in the living room. But
80 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
in the kitchen, the dining room, the automobile, radio lis-
tening does not decrease. It increases! In the presence of tele-
vision, radio becomes a "personal" medium while the tele-
vision set becomes a "family group" medium. Although this
may mean fewer listeners per set for radio, it does offer a
new advantage for radio advertisers: more selective audiences.
Radio programs for special audiences (teen-agers, men, pro-
fessional women, older people, to name a few) are particularly
attractive today. It is not economical for an advertiser to use
television to reach, for example, an audience of men inter-
ested in fishing. But radio can reach this selective audience
at a reasonable cost.
The extent of outside -the -living-room listening in televi-
sion homes between 6 a.m. and midnight has been surveyed
by the American Research Bureau (1952). The figures shown
in the accompanying table clearly indicate radio's future role
as a personal medium:
Radio Listening in TV and "Radio Only" Homes
Place
Percent of radio listening In In
TV homes "radio only" homes
Living room 22.9 49.5
Kitchen 50.0 27.2
Bedroom 9.6 13.2
Dining room 6.2 3.6
Automobile 6.3 1.5
Others 5.0 5.0
In selling radio in a television area, the revolutionary
change in radio's place -of -listening should be emphasized. In
addition to in -home listening, out -of -home listening is also
of importance. There is a car radio for every six people in
the nation. (To get a rough estimate of how many car radios
are in your area, divide the number of people in your cov-
1 L11_
SELLING RADIO IN A TELEVISION MARKET 81
erage area by six.) Portable radios are among the manufac- turers' best sellers. Although no completely authentic figures are available, you can conservatively estimate a portable radio for about every thirty people in your area.
A tremendous amount of radio listening occurs while people are at work. Radios are heard constantly in factories, beauty parlors, barber shops, retail stores, filling stations, etc. Thousands of barns on American farms have radios. Radios are widespread in public places too. Restaurants, bars, bowl- ing alleys, etc., are often radio -equipped.
None of these facts is news to anyone connected with radio sales. But sometimes the obvious is overlooked, and radio salesmen fail to remind their accounts of the overwhelming quantity of radio listening inside and outside the home. How many salesmen, for example, have counted the number of radios they personally hear in the course of one day? Why not ask radio prospects to do the same thing? The results of such a self -inventory of radio listening may be highly reveal- ing. At any rate, it will deny the prospect the right to say "I never listen to the radio any more."
SELLING RADIO POSITIVELY
The radio salesman in a television market frequently finds himself in a defensive role. His prospects write daily epi- taphs for radio. He must counter with statistics, proving the vitality of radio despite TV inroads. It isn't the most pleas- ant atmosphere for selling. It may be difficult for the sales- man to win the argument, for the prospect usually considers his own personal listening habits as typical of those of the whole human race.
One way to sell outside -the -living-room listening is to en- courage the prospect to be the typical listener. Find out how many radios he has, where they are located, who listens to
82 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
them and when. Most people are surprised at the actual amount of listening done in their own homes. Radio is taken for granted so much that people usually don't realize just how much of their time is occupied by it.
One gambit for dramatizing radio's place in a television
home is to admit that radio listening has declined tremen-
dously ... in the living room. This will set the stage well for
the discussion of other -room and out -of -home listening. Throughout every sales call, the salesman must sell radio
positively. Radio advertising is the most economical means
of selling a mass market in the world. (Let that phrase echo
throughout your selling career.) People spend more time lis-
tening to the radio than reading books, magazines and news-
papers combined. Radio listening occupies more of peoples'
time than any other home activity, except television. The to-
tal amount of radio listening is greater today than it was in
1940. The number of radio homes has almost doubled, so
that even if listening has declined in television homes, the
net amount of total hours spent listening has actually
increased. Radio will be sold more positively if it is not constantly
compared to television. Radio can and should be sold as
radio. The ability of radio to move merchandise for an ad-
vertiser is proved constantly. The presence of television does
not mean that people will not continue to be influenced by
other media-by newspapers, by window displays, by bus
cards, by radio. All the forces of advertising and merchandis-
ing play a part in convincing people to act. Radio is one of
the most impelling of all, for radio is, as it always has been,
personal salesmanship ... people talking to people. Its in-
fluence on its listening audience is just as great as it ever was.
If the total number of people listening is less than two years
ago, it does not follow that those who do listen are any less
SELLING RADIO IN A TELEVISION MARKET 83 influenced into buying an advertised product. If the station's audience is smaller than before television, the station may have adjusted its rates accordingly, so that the advertiser's dollar may reach just as many people as it did formerly.
The foregoing chapters have suggested techniques for ef- fective radio selling. The principles contained in those chap- ters are equally useful, whether or not the station is located in a television market. Through the use of these principles, radio may be sold as radio, not as a medium subordinate to television.
SELLING THE ECONOMY OF RADIO Radio has been proved to produce more customers per
dollar than any other medium. (See Chapter 4.) Television may deliver a greater impact than radio, but the advertiser pays for it. Television will always be beyond the financial grasp of many small advertisers. Radio will never be. In the average market the number of potential radio advertisers may be two or three times as large as the number of television prospects. The radio salesman will find that one of his best selling tools is his rate card. Again the axiom: radio is the most economical means of selling a mass market.
The small- and medium-sized advertiser must make every dollar count. He cannot afford the luxury of large space in newspapers or of a television program of his own. So, when he appraises advertising media, he must judge the value of each according to what his limited budget will actually buy. The radio salesman is in a strategic position when these com- parisons are made, for in practically every case he will have the advantageous position. Suppose, for example, that an advertiser has a budget of $200 a week. The best local news- paper's rate is 50 cents per agate line, so that the $200 will buy
84 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
400 lines or one -sixth of a page. A nighttime station break on
a local television station costs $100. Two quick twenty-second
spots exhausts his budget. But on your radio station one -min-
ute participations in daytime programs cost only $25. In
quick summary, then, $200 will buy
1/6 of a newspaper page 2 twenty-second nighttime station breaks on TV
8 one -minute announcements on radio
Economy? In spades!
The scheduling of the eight radio, announcements can be
arranged entirely according to the advertiser's needs: two a
day for four days; four a day for his two biggest sales days;
one a day for six days and two a day for the other. Almost
any combination of eight announcements on the radio sta-
tion should reach more people than the best two station
breaks television can offer.
This hypothetical example is typical of the cost situation
in many markets. A similar cost comparison of your station
with television and newspapers in your market may be help-
ful in selling radio's economy. Take a weekly budget of
$1,000, $500, $250, $100, even $50 and estimate what it will
buy in each newspaper and on each television station. Then
compare the outcome with what you can deliver for each
budget. When such comparisons are used, the fact should be
stressed that radio audiences are constantly "turning over."
Accordingly, a group of radio announcements will reach a
cumulative audience much greater than almost any single
ad or television announcement.
SELLING RADIO'S EXCLUSIVE ADVANTAGES
Every advertising medium has some advantages not offered
by other media. Print media have the advantages of tangi-
bility and permanence; billboards, the advantage of a huge
SELLING RADIO IN A TELEVISION MARKET 85
colorful display; television, the advantage of a sight -and - sound demonstration of products in the home. Radio has some exclusive advantages too.
Advertisers who have become infatuated with television may be inclined to forget some of radio's basic points of superiority. It is well to jog their memories occasionally. Here are some of the values offered by radio that other media cannot equal:
1. Radio is the only medium that reaches women while they are doing housework.
2. Radio is the only medium that delivers a full descrip- tive sales message to people in automobiles.
3. Radio is the only medium that awakens people in the morning and lulls them to sleep at night.
4. Radio is the only medium that reaches people while they are doing other things. (All visual media require more or less full attention.)
5. Radio is capable of selling people who do not read magazines or newspapers. According to a survey by the Institute for Associated Research at the University of Michigan, 34,000,000 adults do not read even one magazine regularly, and 6 percent of the adults do not read any newspapers.
6. Radio is the only medium reaching 19 out of every 20 homes in America.
Radio is also the only medium that sells through the lis- tener's own imagination. All visual media present specific illustrations, which may not be attractive to people whose tastes differ from those of the artist or photographer. Radio, on the other hand, using only the spoken word, stimulates the listener's imagination, providing a mental picture pleasing
86 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
to him, individually. This argument, admittedly, may be
dubious, but it has been used effectively with certain types
of accounts. Some classes of programming seem to be more suited to
radio than to television. Although there may be exceptions,
generally speaking, radio is a more capable news reporter
than television. A television news program requires a large
budget in order to be visually appealing, for movie film must
be shot, processed and delivered, visual aids must be prepared
and live on -the -spot news requires an expensive mobile unit and 6 to 20 technicians. On the other hand, radio news is
fast, flexible and inexpensive. The radio news reporter has
no film to deter him, no type to set. He broadcasts news from
halfway around the world minutes after it happens. Most
people hear news first on radio. A Pulse survey proved that
54 percent of the American people depend on radio for the
first report on important news stories. From all apparent in-
dications, radio will continue to be the nation's primary
"first news" source. Radio usually has a similar advantage in musical pro-
gramming. Since music is written for the ear, the addition of
sight to sound seldom offers the listener any more enjoy-
ment. Although television has presented a few notable con-
certs of symphony orchestras, string quartets and dance bands,
the visual "gimmicks" employed to enliven the performances
do not necessarily contribute to the enjoyment of the music.
Essentially, music is for listening. Radio is concerned only
with listening. Every television station that has attempted to
produce the equivalent of a radio disk jockey show knows
that it's an uphill fight to "visualize" a record. Most such
attempts have been singularly unsuccessful. You don't need
pictures to illustrate musical recordings. Radio will continue
to be the most effective medium for musical programs. And
SELLING RADIO IN A TELEVISION MARKET 87
the sponsors of musical programs on radio will profit accord- ingly.
HOW TO COMPARE RADIO AND TELEVISION ADVERTISING
Earlier in this chapter, radio salesmen are encouraged to sell the positive values of radio and to try to avoid a defensive attitude about their medium. A chapter on selling radio in a television market, however, would be incomplete without a point -by -point comparison of radio and television that faces up to the questions radio salesmen will meet. Despite every effort to the contrary, the radio salesman will often be forced into "defending" radio. The accompanying table contains some ammunition for combating attacks against radio. Its in- tention is not to encourage pugnacity on the salesman's part, but rather to offer logical answers to "anti -radio" statements, so that the salesman is not put in an indefensible position.
How Dead Is Radio?
Argument Refutation
1. People don't listen to ra- dio any more.
2. People with television sets don't buy radios.
3. Buying radios doesn't mean they listen.
4. Television families don't listen to radio.
1. Why did they buy more radios than television sets last year? (Source: Radio -Electronics -Tele- vision Manufacturers Assn.)
2. They buy more than people who don't own TV sets -253 radio sets per 100 TV homes com- pared to 219 per 100 radio -only homes. (Source: American Re- search Bureau.)
3. The average family spends 2.62 hours per day listening to radio. (Source: Nielsen Radio Index, Oct. 1953.)
4. Television families spend more time listening to radio than reading newspapers and maga- zines combined. (Source: Ameri- can Research Bureau.)
88 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
How Dead Is Radio? (Cont.)
Argument Refutation
5. But they watch television more than they listen to the radio.
6. The radio audience is di- vided among a dozen sta- tions, but the television audience has only two or three stations to watch.
7. Television has more im- pact. It sells more goods.
8. I see television antennas 40 feet high 60 miles out of town. People will spend anything to get TV.
9. You can't show your prod- uct on radio.
10. The bigger television gets, the weaker radio will be- come.
5. Yes, they do, but the number of people listening to radio in TV homes increases by 6 percent during the first year of television ownership. (Source: "Videotown Survey.")
6. The average home has only two- thirds of a television set, but it has three radios. There is a lot bigger radio audience to divide!
7. Right. A minute on television will sell more than a minute on radio. But since the minute on television costs four times as
much as the radio minute, it should sell four times as much! Does it?
8. The coverage area of this radio station reaches 150 miles out of town. And since people don't have to build a 40 -foot tower to get radio reception, they have radios in their barns, kitchens, bedrooms, stores, everywhere.
9. Never could. But advertisers spent $490,000,000 last year sell- ing their products on radio. You make more sales through con- versation than through pictures. (Source: National Association of Radio and Television Broad- casters.)
10. In New York, for example, over 80 percent of the families al- ready have television sets. But the New York area supports 33 radio stations and reports an audience of 12,800,000 listeners. (Source: NCS and NBC Re- search Dept.)
SELLING RADIO IN A TELEVISION MARKET 89
Perhaps the most important single asset a salesman can have in selling radio in a television area is personal conviction. If the salesman is convinced himself that radio is a vital, essen- tial selling force, if he exudes enthusiasm and confidence in radio during his daily calls, he cannot help but radiate his convictions to his prospects. All the logic, statistics and argu- ments in the book won't accomplish success if the salesman feels that radio is a Class B medium. The salesman who believes in radio will make his clients believe too. Both will be richly rewarded.
CHAPTER 10
An Approach to Television Sales
The preceding chapters really serve two purposes: first, ob-
viously, they explore the techniques of effective radio selling;
secondly, and not so obviously, they form a background for
the discussion of television selling. For whether a television
salesman has previously sold radio or not, he should be in-
timately acquainted with radio sales procedures before at-
tempting to sell television. Salesmanship of radio and tele-
vision are quite similar. The "products" to be sold are very
different. The techniques of preparing for calls, making con-
vincing presentations, following through with accounts, clos-
ing, servicing, renewals, etc., are relatively the same for the
television salesman as for his radio colleague. The specific
material used in selling, however, is totally dissimilar. The
five chapters that follow are concerned with problems pecu-
liar to television selling. The preceding nine chapters con-
tain many principles of salesmanship that apply equally to
radio and television sales. (If you have skipped the radio
chapters, it would be well to go back and read them. They
form the foundation for the approaching discussion of tele-
vision selling.) 90
AN APPROACH TO TELEVISION SALES 91
TELEVISION AS AN ADVERTISING MEDIUM
Without exaggeration, it is safe to say that television is the most potent advertising force in existence. Printed media are visual only. Radio is aural only. Television is both plus motion. Television offers the millennium in selling effective- ness: the ability to demonstrate a product in thousands of homes simultaneously. In that respect, it is more of a sales medium than an advertising medium. People are sold through television. The sales transaction in the store for merchandise pre -sold on television is merely the physical consummation of the sale.
Before television, door-to-door selling was the only method of demonstrating a product in the home. The cost per demon- stration was fantastic. A salesman could make maybe 20 or 30 calls a day, of which many were unproductive. Further- more, he couldn't even get inside many homes to make his pitch, and often when he did, he faced a prospect bristling with sales resistance.
What a difference today! The "salesman" on television can demonstrate the same product in 100,000 homes at a cost of a fraction of a cent per home. He is an invited guest in the home, reaching his prospects when they are in a relaxed, receptive mood. The impact of television's personal demon- stration and selling ability in the home is, literally, incom- parable.
Television commands more attention, more concentration from people than any other advertising medium. Watching television requires the attention of the eyes, the ears, the mind . . . full concentration. It is the perfect atmosphere for influencing people. Television wins larger audiences than any other entertainment media in America. More people, for example, saw "Hamlet" last year in one television
92 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
presentation than had seen all the performances of "Hamlet"
in history! "Oklahoma!" played before fewer people in its
entire run on the stage than the average nighttime network
television program reaches. The average network TV show
is seen by more people than listen to the highest rated radio
programs. The largest audiences available to advertisers to-
day and tomorrow will be television audiences . . . larger
than radio, the biggest magazines, the most widely circulated
newspapers. Television's potential audience, of course, is not as large
as radio's, for more homes have radios than television sets.
But the average television program in a mature TV market
will reach more people than the average radio program.
Television claims a larger portion of people's time than
any other activity except working and sleeping. In the av-
erage television home each person spends three hours and two
minutes per day watching television. According to the latest
(1952) NBC "Sales Effectiveness Study," each individual in
the average TV home spends, each day,
3 hours 2 minutes viewing television
69 minutes listening to the radio
36 minutes reading newspapers
16 minutes reading magazines
Advertiser -acceptance of television has been extraordinary.
In 1953, according to Printers' Ink estimates, advertisers spent
$688,700,000 for television time and programs. In the short
space of seven years, the advertising investment in television
has overtaken that of magazines, radio, transit and outdoor
advertising. Television has been proved to be the most effective sales
medium in existence. One indication of television's sales
prowess is contained in the latest NBC "Sales Effectiveness
Study." It demonstrated that viewers of television programs
AN APPROACH TO TELEVISION SALES 93
actually purchased up to 50 percent more of TV -advertised products than people who did not see the programs. Most sales increases of TV -advertised products among program viewers were over 20 percent! The advertiser who passes up television forfeits a great many sales to his television -wise competitors. Practically every survey proves that television adds substantial impetus to the sales chart of any product.
These are some of the reasons why television has become the most potent advertising force in America. This is the television salesman's "product"!
THE GROWTH OF TELEVISION
For all practical purposes, we may say that commercial television became a reality in 1947. In January 1947, 6 sta- tions were on the air. By January 1950, the number of op- erating television outlets had grown to 90. In January 1954, the nation was blanketed with 360 stations, covering areas in which 85 percent of all U. S. homes are located.
The January 1947 audience consisted of 16,500 homes. Three years later, 3,950,000 families had television sets. By January 1954, the total number of U. S. television families had rocketed to 27,666,0001
The first year that complete figures were available for ad- vertiser investment in local, spot and network television was 1949, when $63,000,000 was poured into television's coffers. In four short years, that sum had increased over ten times to $688,700,000.
Television has grown faster than any industry in Ameri- can history. The automobile industry took over 26 years to produce and sell 271/2 million cars. Television produced and sold that many sets in eight years. It even took radio 14 years to produce an equal number of sets.
Never before has the American public accepted a product
94 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
with such universal enthusiasm. In a handful of years people
have spent over eight and a half billion dollars for television
sets-more than for any other durable product except auto-
mobiles and homes. The "infant" industry has grown up. The "curiosity" of
the 1940's is the household necessity of the 1950's. The adver-
Growth of U.S. Television
(Sets Installed 1946 - 1954)
I
-.L1-171:H3,950000
II
J. I 41A. N-i II!_iÌ
l,000, 10,000 16,500
190,000_ _/- I
-. _ 1 1 -Ìl 1 I - Jan.bt l) 1946 Jan. 19104,11P
Jan. Jan_1969.-
+,I1951 Jan.
1947 Jan.
1952 al , Soun: 1953 Ju' xeC taurá ant. fsnnts
195
Fig. 7. How Television Receiver Sales Have Grown
tising "gimmick" of the mid -forties is the advertising essen-
tial of the mid -fifties.
THE LOCAL TELEVISION MARKET
Several developments during television's brief history have
restricted its growth in some areas while it has boomed in
others. The most conspicuous of these developments was the
famous "freeze" imposed upon new television station applica-
tions by the Federal Communications Commission in 1949.
AN APPROACH TO TELEVISION SALES 95
The reasons for the freeze are now legend. The FCC discov- ered that its entire system of channel allocations had to be revised. Two basic things were wrong with the "pre -freeze" standards: (1) Several stations using the same or adjacent channels were too close together and interfered with each other; (2) there weren't enough channels to go around. The 12 "very -high -frequency" (VHF) channels originally assigned to commercial television could not alone provide a truly na- tional competitive service. There seemed to be no possibilities for expansion in an already overcrowded spectrum. But, dur- ing the freeze, research engineers of the Radio Corporation of America completed work on equipment that made it pos- sible to transmit and receive seventy additional television channels (the "ultra -high -frequency" band or "UHF"). If this development had not taken place, television's growth would have been considerably stunted.
The freeze lasted three years. With the exception of a hand- ful of stations whose construction permits had already been issued, no additional stations were built during the three-year period. Television station markets experienced a terrific boom in set sales during the freeze.
The new FCC standards for channel allocations became effective on May 2, 1952. (Within a year, 1,157 applications had been filed for new stations.) Under the new standards, the minimum distance between stations broadcasting on the same channel was increased from 90 to 155 miles. And the number of TV channels was increased from 12 to 82, em- bracing the 70 new UHF channels.
At the time the FCC lifted the "freeze," there were 17,290,- 000 television sets equipped to receive the original 12 chan- nels. Virtually none could receive UHF channels. In order to receive UHF, the TV owner must have his set "converted" (i.e., provided with additional equipment necessary to re-
96 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
ceive UHF channels) or buy a new "all -channel" set. The cost for UHF conversion was and is between $40 and $125 per set, depending upon the location of the UHF transmitter and the previous VHF antenna installation.
Markets having no previous television service were, of
course, not affected by the conversion problem. If a UHF station was the first to go on the air in the market, all the sets shipped into the area would be equipped to receive both UHF and VHF stations. As a result, there was no deterrent to television set expansion in the normal manner.
Mature TV markets like New York and Los Angeles, on
the other hand, had several VHF stations in operation before the freeze. Such markets grew up during the freeze. Two out of three families in these areas already had television by the time UHF standards became effective. Since TV own-
ers in these markets already had several stations from which
to choose, there was practically no incentive to spend $40
to $125 for the privilege of receiving one or two additional stations. As a consequence, the UHF channels assigned to
multi -station markets have generally gone a -begging. There are still no UHF stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago,
Washington and several other multi -station markets. The real UHF problem developed in cities that formerly
had only one or two VHF stations. Television owners in those
areas had to convert to UHF or buy a new set in order to
watch a new UHF station. The additional programming pro-
vided by the UHF station, plus network programs formerly
carried by the VHF station, offered local viewers strong in-
centive to convert to UHF. When a new UHF station begins operation, the VHF sta-
tion salesman may be facing competition for the first time.
Before the arrival of the new station, he had been selling
just television. Afterwards, he becomes a television station
salesman. The VHF man will, however, have the advantage
AN APPROACH TO TELEVISION SALES 97
for a long time, for all sets in the area can receive his station, but only converted sets will be able to tune in to his UHF competitor. Though this advantage is large at first, the con- stant conversion of sets will continually improve the com- petitor's position.
The UHF salesman in a mature VHF market has the toughest sales job of all. His problem is not just selling tele- vision. His competitors have already done that. The "U" salesman has to sell a station with a smaller circulation than the "V" station. Until the number of conversions has reached an impressive total, the UHF station cannot expect to be as attractive commercially as the older established VHF. But the UHF station has a real opportunity for profitable sales even during its first months of operation.
To summarize, the television salesman's job will fall into one of the following categories:
1. Selling VHF in a wholly VHF market 2. Selling UHF in a new television market 3. Selling VHF in a market with new UHF competition 4. Selling UHF in an established VHF market 5. Selling a new VHF in an established UHF market (a
rarity)
Each of these individual sales situations except the last one will be explored in later chapters. Although many sales points will be common to all television selling, the UHF - VHF conditions of the market determine to a large degree the atmosphere in which the individual salesman must op- erate.
TELEVISION'S PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY
In the consciousness of every television salesman should be a deep-rooted belief in television, its present and its fu- ture. Television is the greatest miracle of mass communica-
98 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
tions ever developed. Television is the most influential ad-
vertising medium in existence. It is a great social force, a
powerful tool for education, a medium for the advancement of culture and understanding among people.
Since television is a medium for all people, it must serve all people ... the uneducated, the intellectual, the laborer, the scientist, the kindergartener, the aged. Hence, television programming embraces serial dramas and Shakespeare, give-
away shows and interviews with famous philosophers, who-
dunits and operas, hillbilly tunes and Beethoven. Few people like all television programs. Everybody likes some. That is
television's greatness: the ability to serve all the people some
of the time. Where does the salesman fit into all this? He makes it all
possible! The salesman brings in the advertising revenue that pays, directly or indirectly, for every program on tele-
vision from a puppet show to grand opera. The salesman's assignment is much larger than it appears on the surface. Sell-
ing television is getting orders, servicing accounts, making a
profit for the station and making a personal living. But it is
also helping to make America a richer, better place in which to live and contributing to the educational and cultural ad-
vancement of the nation. The fruits of the salesman's efforts
are enjoyed literally by thousands, even millions, of people.
CHAPTER 11
What Television Offers the Advertiser
At the risk of oversimplification, it may be said that tele- vision offers the advertiser: (1) more sales of his product, (2) greater public knowledge of his product, (3) more prestige for his company.
As soon as an advertiser is convinced that television will produce these three results, the salesman's battle is won.
Most companies advertise to sell. Strictly "institutional" advertisers are rare, indeed. For the vast majority, an ad- vertising medium is judged by its ability to attract customers. Every advertising medium produces sales for its clients. If it didn't, it could not survive. But every medium does not pro- duce results for all its clients, nor is every medium "right" for every product. For that reason, the selling of advertising in- volves intensive research, planning, analyzing, promoting, comparing and thinking.
Television is peculiarly "right" for practically every product. Anything that can be sold by one individual talking to another can be sold on television. If a product must be seen to be sold, television is "right." If it must be demon- strated, television is "right." If it is an intangible product and has to be described by a salesman, television is "right."
Several companies have been built literally by television. These relative unknowns a few short years ago are household
99
100 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
bywords today: Ammident Tooth Paste, Stopette, Vaseline Hair Tonic, Amana Home Freezers, Lipton's Soup, Doeskin Tissues, Adolph's Meat Tenderizer, Dial Soap, Reynolds Aluminum, Hazel Bishop Lipstick, Speidel Watch Bands,
Samsonite Luggage. Every one of these products (and many
others) have regularly placed a major share of their adver-
tising dollars in television. Both old and new products have
had tremendous sales increases on television. One of the best research sources for proof of television's
sales prowess is the series of "Sales Effectiveness Studies" sponsored by the National Broadcasting Company in 1949,
1951, 1952 and 1953. In these studies thousands of television owners and nonowners were personally interviewed to de-
termine the brand of products they bought, and the televi-
sion shows (if any) they watched. TV viewers and nonviewers
of each program were carefully "matched" so that each group was similar in every respect. The brands purchased by the
viewers of a program were compared with the brand prefer-
ences of nonviewers. In this way it was possible to determine whether the viewers of a program bought more of the ad-
vertised product than nonviewers. In case after case the
dramatic sales effectiveness of television was demonstrated. The accompanying table lists just a few of the results from
Comparison of Buyers among Television Viewers and Nonviewers
Viewers buying product,
Increase Nonviewers of customers
buying product, among viewers, Product
A cleanser 21.5 15.3 40
A packaged dessert 27.8 20.1 38
A dentifrice 10.5 7.9 33
A hair preparation 6.7 4.2 60 A toiletry 4.6 2.4 92
WHAT TELEVISION OFFERS THE ADVERTISER 101
the 1952 study. Of the total of 42 products surveyed, every product advertised on TV showed more customers among TV viewers than among nonviewers. Possibly never before has an advertising medium demonstrated such consistency of sales results for its advertisers. The evidence clearly indicates that the use of television advertising virtually guarantees increased sales.
Of course, it is possible for an advertiser to make a failure on television. If his commercials are ineffective or if his product is inferior, television or any other medium cannot be expected to sell it. As a rule, though, it takes such unhappy circumstances for television advertising to fail. Success is the rule in TV.
Obviously, if several advertisers competing for the same market are all in television, sales cannot mount indefinitely for everybody. The television audience naturally becomes di- vided in its choice of TV advertised brands. All television advertised brands, however, should fare better than those of competitors not on TV. But TV advertised products will ultimately reach market saturation. Most advertisers will recognize that a leveling off of sales does not necessarily mean that the advertising medium has ceased to be effective. As long as the advertiser can maintain his sales at a high, profit- able level, he is satisfied. The truth of the matter is: If an advertiser dropped out of television while his competitors re- mained, he would lose a portion of the market. This fact was proved by NBC's 1952 "Sales Effectiveness Study," which found that there were as many as 66 per cent more lost cus- tomers among people who stopped viewing a program. Other examples from this study proved this point further, as shown in the table on page 102.
This pattern of loss was generally repeated for all the products studied. Obviously, if an advertiser loses customers
102 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Loss in Purchasers among Television Nonviewers and Former Viewers
Nonviewers who stopped
buying product,
Product
Former viewers who stopped
buying product,
Greater loss in customers
among former viewers,
A cleanser 14.1 20.2 43 A beer 3.8 6.3 66 A soap 9.1 12.6 38
when they stop viewing his show, he will lose customers if he goes off the air entirely. It's a fact that advertisers simply cannot afford not to be on television.
Let it not be implied, though, that failure to use television is an invitation to bankruptcy. Such a suggestion would be naive. Some businesses can continue to prosper without tele- vision, and a salesman should not imply otherwise. The pros- pect, however, should be aware of the enormous possibilities of increasing the sale of his product or service through tele- vision advertising. The most convincing evidence of this is
the fruitful experience of others. An alert businessman will not sit idly by and watch his television -advertising competi- tors steal his customers. The success of most TV clients on the station should provide ammunition for winning new accounts.
Proof of television's ability to sell merchandise is the most potent weapon in the sales arsenal.
That advertising on television will result in greater public awareness of the promoted product is undeniable. Hardly any prospect will question television's advertising strength. There are different degrees of impact on the viewing audi- ence, though, depending upon the extent of TV coverage, the popularity of individual stations and programs, the time and length of broadcasts, the viewing habits of set owners
WHAT TELEVISION OFFERS THE ADVERTISER 103
and, of course, the effectiveness of the commercials. The salesman should have at his disposal complete information on these things. Later chapters will discuss each of them in de- tail.
"Prestige" is the most elusive and hard -to -define benefit that accrues to the television advertiser. It cannot be meas- ured in dollars and cents, but the company with high prestige usually is in a very profitable position. There is no yardstick for measuring prestige, yet it is as much a part of a company's wealth as its physical assets. Television plays an important role in elevating the prestige of its advertisers.
In many communities, the mere fact that a company is "on television" identifies it as a progressive, important organiza- tion. Through the association with high -prestige national ad- vertisers on the station, the local advertiser is benefited accordingly. He is in the company of General Electric, Gen- eral Motors, U. S. Steel, du Pont, Ford and RCA. The presence on television of leading local firms tends to enhance its prestige value for other advertisers too. It often follows that the advertiser who is first to enter television in his busi- ness category becomes identified as a leader in his field. The importance of increasing a company's prestige cannot be over- stressed, for it is one of the most important goals of every businessman.
If used incorrectly, television advertising may not serve the prestige -conscious advertiser well. Overlong, over -aggressive "pitches" on the air will sell merchandise perhaps, but, like sensational advertising in printed media, they will not elevate a company's prestige. The handling of commercials will de- termine whether or not the advertiser wants to gain prestige through TV. In the end, good taste, honesty, and warmth will win more customer -friends than the sideshow barker. The advertiser should be encouraged to take advantage of
104 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
his opportunity to grow in public stature through the manner in which he uses television. Happily, most advertisers have learned that television is an intimate medium, and use , it accordingly. Although there may be thousands or millions of
people in a TV program's audience, each is viewing in a
small family unit at home. Advertisers who address com-
mercials to one family sitting comfortably and quietly at home will gain a lot more prestige (and sales) than the un- thinking sponsors who conceive of their audience as one huge mob.
Television is the most merchandisable medium in all ad-
vertising. It stimulates more enthusiasm among dealers, dis-
tributors, salesmen, and members of the advertiser's own organization than any other form of advertising. It is the most dramatic and attention -getting medium a company can use. It is one of the most flexible of all media. It gains more local publicity. It promotes greater recognition from national manufacturers who supply the local dealer. It provokes more comment from customers. Since television offers such attrac- tive benefits to its advertisers, there is small wonder that television is the most sought-after medium of advertising:
The television salesman should call the attention of all his prospects to the many intrinsic values of the medium. There is no better way to approach any sales prospect than on the basis of "what it can do for you." As in radio selling, the wants and needs of the prospect should be uppermost in the salesman's thinking.
To repeat the opening lines of this chapter, among the many values that television offers, three are basic. Sell the account on these, and you are well on the way to gaining a
new client. Television will produce: Increased sales More public knowledge of product More prestige
CHAPTER 12
The Tools of Television Selling
Everything from the components of the receiving set to the salesman's desk manual is more complex in television than in radio. The television salesman's "kit" includes some strange data that can be found no place else on earth. It is a combination of maps, charts, circulation figures, audience statistics, market data, program descriptions, talent biog- raphies; technical data on cameras, projectors, scenery, stage properties, films, balopticons, mobile units; cost tables, poli- cies, contractual provisions, etc., etc. To be a competent salesman, all the "tools of the trade" must be understood. A salesman must know when to use what, and where to find the answers to questions that he can't immediately answer. He must be keenly familiar with all of his sales material, and thoroughly acquainted with all the functions of his station. Long hours of study and preparation should precede any active solicitation of accounts. There is nothing worse than a salesman who doesn't know his own "product."
HOW TELEVISION WORKS
Early in the game the salesman should become acquainted with how television works. How is a picture in a studio trans- mitted through the air to a receiver fifty miles distant? Sales -
105
106 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
men, of course, don't have to be engineers, but it is well for
them to understand, from a layman's viewpoint, what makes
TV tick. In the simplest of terms, here's how:
The television camera "scans" the picture in much the
same way that you are reading this page. It "reads" the
"lines" of the picture from left to right. There are 525 lines
in the field of the camera's eye. It scans all those lines in
one -thirtieth of a second. On each line there are various
shades of black, white and gray. As the camera reads the line
it converts these shades into electronic impulses that, when
picked up by a receiver, can be "painted" on the screen in the
same sequence of black, white and gray tones. The receiver
"paints" on the picture tube (the kinescope) the same line -by-
line scene that the camera picked up. The speed of this opera-
tion is so terrific (15,750 lines per second) that the human eye sees all the lines in the entire picture simultaneously.
After the camera has converted each line into electrical
impulses, it sends the stream of impulses through a coaxial
cable to the station control room. In the control room, the picture appears on a "monitor" (a TV screen just like a home
screen), where the control engineer can adjust it for bright-
ness, clarity and definition before the stream of impulses con-
tinues through another coaxial cable to the transmitting point. The transmitting antenna located atop the tower con-
verts the stream of electrons into high -frequency waves
that radiate in all directions. Receiving antennas intercept
the high -frequency waves, convert them back into a stream
of electrons and funnel them through a wire into the re-
ceiving set, where the electrical impulses are once again con-
verted into the original shades of brightness and darkness
and painted on the picture tube. Television "signals," as they are called, tend to travel in
straight lines. Unlike radio signals, which closely follow the
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 107
curvature of the earth, television waves (although bending somewhat) generally do not provide service far beyond the horizon. That is the reason television antennas must be mounted higher in the air for distant reception. It is also the reason why television station coverage is more restricted than radio coverage. A television station may be received from a distance of about 20 to over 100 miles, depending upon the height of the transmitter, the station's power and the topog- raphy of the earth. Radio waves have been known to travel 6,000 miles or more.
The sound of television is transmitted simultaneously on high -frequency radio waves. Television sound is frequency - modulation (FM) radio, which, of course, is generally of higher fidelity than standard- or amplitude -modulation (AM) radio. FM waves have the same characteristics as television waves in that they travel in straight lines and are limited in area coverage by the curvature of the earth.
Unlike AM radio, which is transmitted on a single fre- quency, television signals are borne on several frequencies. A single television -station's signal requires six megacycles of spectrum. The entire standard radio broadcast band (540 to 1,600 kilocycles) occupies only 1.06 megacycles of spectrum. Although the television viewer simply turns to a "channel number," actually the breadth of frequencies that he receives on one channel is over five times as large as all the frequen- cies on his radio.
The principle of ultra -high -frequency (UHF) transmis- sion is the same as VHF, the difference being in the shorter length of the waves. UHF, of course, is transmitted on much higher frequencies than VHF. UHF covers 470 to 890 mega- cycles; VHF from 54 to 216 megacycles.
108 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO .AND TV
MEASURING TELEVISION STATION COVERAGE
Every television station, in its initial petition to the FCC, must include maps showing the anticipated coverage of the projected station. After the transmitter is installed, the visual and audio signal strength can be measured through engi- neering field -strength tests. These measurements are con- ducted similarly to radio field tests (see Chapter 2), except that equipment is included that continuously records the strength of the picture signal along the measured radial. The results of the measurements are transferred to a map in much the same manner followed by radio engineering field tests. A television -station map resembles a radio map in appearance, with a series of contour lines surrounding the transmitting point. "Primary" coverage may be considered to be all the area enclosed in the "grade A contour" (2.5 to 5 millivolt area, depending upon the channel). The "grade B contour" may be considered as defining the "secondary" coverage area (0.2 to 1.6, depending upon the channel).
One pronounced difference between television and radio field -strength maps is the presence of "shadowed" or "dead" areas in the TV maps. A mountain, for example, may cause a "shadow" in reception. Tall buildings will sometimes affect the picture received. Such "shadowed" areas should not be considered a part of the station's coverage.
Changes in a station's coverage pattern may occur as a result of increase in power, change in transmitter location, raising the height of the antenna, etc. Such modifications in coverage are impossible to demonstrate to advertisers without a modified field -strength measurement.
Engineering field -strength -measurement maps are in gen- eral use by TV station sales departments to show the area covered by the station. In the absence of actual field measure-
FIELD STRENGTH MEASUREMENT MAP QA 2.5 my/m E 0.22 my/m 0.1 my/m Contours
WNBW - WASHINGTON, D. C.
CHANNEL 4 100 K.W. 500 FT.
Rand on niaawromenls by NEC Eno. Dept.
(Courtesy of WNBW, Washington, D.C.) Fig. 8. A Television Station Field Strength Measurement Map
109
110 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
ments, computed signal -strength maps are used. These maps (actual or computed) form the basis for establishing the size and value of the market covered. The following basic market data can be tabulated for all the coverage area of the station:
Population-total, city and farm
Number of families Effective buying income Retail sales
Food sales Drug sales General merchandise sales Per capita income Per capita retail sales
All of these data can be compiled through the use of the station's coverage map and Sales Management's latest "Survey of Buying Power." The resulting figures provide a profile of the market.
Two research companies have conducted surveys to meas- ure television station coverage, A. C. Nielsen Company and the Standard Audit and Measurement Services. These sur- veys were made simultaneously with the radio coverage surveys of the same companies. They used the same methods. (The details of these surveys are contained in Chapter 2.) Both Nielsen and SAMS found that television station cover- age generally extended beyond the area shown on engineering field -strength maps. People far distant from a television sta- tion have done some strange things to receive the station's programs. It is not unusual to find antennas mounted on 30- or 40 -foot towers 100 miles from the TV station. Nielsen and SAMS have counted this coverage. Engineering maps do not.
Undoubtedly, as time goes on, coverage surveys will gradu- ally replace engineering maps as the basis for establishing the true coverage area of the station. As in radio, the latter basis for measuring coverage for sales purposes will probably be-
come obsolete.
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 111
MEASURING TELEVISION SET "CIRCULATION"
The number of television sets in a station's coverage area is often referred to as the station's "circulation." There is a difference, however, between the set ownership of an area and the number of homes that actually view a station.
Technically, "circulation" is the equivalent of the number of homes viewing a station. "Set ownership" figures include two -set homes, sets moved out of the area by owners or deal- ers and sets destroyed by breakage or fire. Obviously then, set ownership figures do not provide accurate "circulation" figures. Particularly in old, established television markets, there can be a considerable discrepancy between the number of sets sold during the past several years and the number of homes that view the station.
The most accurate indexes for station "circulation" are the Nielsen and SAMS surveys mentioned above. Since these surveys are conducted infrequently, however, the figures quickly become out-of-date. (Nielsen's latest "count" was released in February 1954). Since television is such a fast- growing medium, and since up-to-date "circulation" figures are an important basis for defining advertising rates, it is ad- visable to keep a monthly account of the number of sets sold in the station's area. The "sets sold" figures can then be adjusted for an estimated number of "viewing homes" to be added each month. There are several possible sources for obtaining monthly set ownership statistics.
The most universally used system of accounting for the number of sets sold is through the local distributors of tele- vision sets. In addition to the sum of the distributors' monthly sales, estimates can be made of the number of sets that are shipped in to the market by mail-order houses or other firms.
Some cities have a "circulation committee" composed of
112 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
representatives of all the stations, who pool all of their data on set sales and agree on the monthly estimate for the market as a whole. Washington, D. C., was the leader in this method of estimating monthly set circulation figures.
Another source of information on set sales is the Radio - Electronics -Television Manufacturers Association, which sup-
plies figures on the number of sets shipped to retailers in each
market. Before the RETMA figures can be used, allowances
must be made for retailers' inventory. This inventory can
generally be estimated as amounting to about one month's shipments. Stations should make certain that they are not counting television sets on the dealers' floors as "circulation."
A few trade journals also publish estimated set circula- tion figures monthly. This information is valuable to a sta-
tion for purposes of comparing its monthly circulation with that of other markets and checking the growth of other markets in comparison with its own.
MEASURING PROGRAM AUDIENCES
Individual television program audiences, like radio audi- ences, are measured by program ratings. Television program ratings are simply the percentage of all television homes in the surveyed area that are tuned to each program. There is no dearth of rating services; no less than six are operating nationally at this writing: Nielsen Television Index, Hooper Teleratings, Pulse Television Ratings, ARB (American Re-
search Bureau) TV Ratings, Trendex Ratings and Videodex ratings. It is not within the scope of this book to give a
detailed analysis of each rating service. It is, however, recom-
mended that the television salesman completely familiarize
himself with the methods and meaning of each of the rating services used by his station and his competitors. Each rating report publishes a complete description of its method, sample,
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 113
scope, statistical accuracy and definition of its reported data. Before using ratings, a salesman should study these pages of the rating report thoroughly.
Here is a brief description of each of the most important rating services:
Nielsen Television Index
Television -set use measured by Nielsen Audimeter in- stalled in home receivers. (See Chapter 2.) Audimeter tape records the exact minute the set is turned on, the channel it is tuned to, changes to other channels and time turned off. Reports: "Nielsen Rating" (percent of homes tuned in to programs for at least six minutes); total audience (percent of homes tuned in to programs at least one minute); share of audience (percent of tuned -in audience viewing each pro- gram); number of homes in audience; minute -by -minute audi- ence; audience flow to and from programs, percent of total U. S. homes tuned to programs; etc. Service used by TV networks, national advertisers and agencies. Prior to January 1954, Nielsen provided no local market ratings except for New York City. The company has since undertaken an ex- pansion program to add local market service in other cities. National Nielsen ratings are issued semimonthly.
Hooper Teleratings
Viewing of programs measured by coincidental telephone method, in combination with diaries kept by viewers. Tele- phone numbers are selected at random. Respondents are asked to report the program being viewed (if any) at the moment of the call. Reports: "Telerating" (percent of TV homes in survey viewing each program); share of audience among stations; sets in use (percent of total sets in area in use during each time period); percent of total homes tuned in
114 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
to each program and percent of total homes using television
each quarter-hour. Service used by local stations, national and local advertisers and advertising agencies. Hooper con-
ducts regular surveys in over 50 television markets and is
available for special surveys in any market.
Pulse Television Ratings
Program viewing measured by personal interview method.
Sample, selected at random, is asked to recall programs re-
cently seen. Interviewer aids recall of program by showing
interviewee list of programs broadcast. Reports: Pulse Rating (percent of people interviewed who recall having seen each
program); sets in use, station's share of audience, percent listening to all television stations during each period for both
commercial and sustaining programs. Service used by local
stations, national and local advertisers, advertising agencies.
Pulse conducts regular surveys in over 70 television markets.
ARB Ratings
Program viewing measured by "diary" technique. A rep-
resentative group of viewing homes, selected at random, records hour -by -hour viewing for a week in a "diary" that is affixed to their television set. ARB (American Research
Bureau) tabulates data from completed diaries mailed in at
the end of the sample week. Sample: approximately 500
diaries in the average market. Reports: ARB Rating (percent
of total sample reporting that they watched the program);
sets in use; station's share of audience; estimated number of
people in audience for each program; audience composition (i.e., percent of men, percent of women and percent of chil-
dren in each program's audience); estimated number of men,
women and children in program audiences. ARB, like Pulse,
but unlike Nielsen, reports information for sustaining as
THE PHILADELPHIA Tffi,HVIS
TIME PROGRAM STATION RATING Mm Wo ldm p m 5:30 Hall of Far WPTZ 7.4 29 62 9 2.6 P.M. Super Circus WF11 16.5 34 36 30 3.1
Omnibus WCAU 15.9 38 38 24 3.5
Seta in U. 39.8
5:45 Hall of Fame WPTZ 7.4 29 62 9 2.6 P.M. Super Circa.. WFIL 16.9 34 36 30 3.1
Omnibus WCAU 15.6 38 38 24 3.5
Sets in Use 39.9 6:00 Mr. and Mrs. North WPTZ 12.3 28 42 30 2.8 P.M. Annie Oakley STIL 10.6 25 32 43 3.1
Omnibus WCAU 12.3 39 38 23 3.2 Other 0.6
Sets in Use 35.8 6:15 Mr. and Mrs. North WPM 12.3 28 42 30 2.8 P.M. 'Annie Oakley WFIL 10.6 25 32 43 3.1
Omnibus WCAU 11.7 39 38 23 3.2 Other 0.6
Sets in Use 35.2 6:30 Let's Co; News WPTZ 8.2 28 42 30 3.1 P.M. This Week in Philadelphia WFIL 6.6
You Are There WCAU 15.3 35 43 22 3.2 Other 0.3
Sete in Use 30.6 6:45 Kieran's Kaleidoscope WITZ 5.9 P.M. Pulse of the City WFIL 7.1 39 52 9 2.4
You Are There SCAB 14.6 35 43 22 3.2 Other 0.3
Sets in Use 27.9
7:00 Snday at Seven WPTZ 5.0 P.M. You Asked for It WFIL 36.8 33 41 26 3.5
Life with Father WCAU 9.1 25 43 32 3.1
Seta in Use Other
51 5 7:15 Sunday at Seven WPTZ 5.0 P.M. You Asked for It STIL 36.8 33 41 26 3.5
Life with Father WCAU 9.1 25 43 32 3.1 Other 0.6
Sets in Use 51.5 7:30 Mr. Peepers WPTZ 13.9 27 38 35 3.5 P.M. TV Teen Club WFIL 8.2 35 52 13 3.3
Jack Benny WCAU 37.1 34 45 21 3.2 Other 0.3
Sete in Use 59.5 7:45 Mr. Peepers SPIS 13.9 27 38 35 3.5 P.M. TV Teen Club 'FIL 8.2 35 52 13 3.3
Jack Benny WCAU 37.1 34 45 21 3.2 Other 0.3
SAts in Use 59.5 8:00 Comedy Hour - J. Durante WPTZ 24.7 34 39 27 3.6 P.M. The Maek - WFIL 7.9 37 47 16 3.1
Toast of the Tarn WCAU 36.5 33 49 18 3.3 Other 0.3
Sete in Cae 69.4 8:15 Comedy Hour WPTZ 24.7 34 39 27 3.6 P.M. The Mask WFIL 7.9 37 47 16 3.1
Toast of the Town WCAU 36.8 33 49 18 3.3 Other 0.3
Sete in Use 69.7 8:30 Comedy Hour WPTZ 24.1 36 40 25 3.6 P.M. The Mask WFIL 8.8
Toast of the Town WCAU 36.8 32 51 17 3.5 Other 0.3
Seta in Use 70.0 8:45 Comedy Hour WPTZ 24.1 36 40 25 3.6 P.M. The Mask WFIL 8.8
Toast of the Town WCAU 36.8 32 51 17 3.5 Other 0.3
Sets in Use 70.0
AMERICAN RESEARCH SUREAU. INC.
(Courtesy of James Seiler, Director Fig. 9. Typical Page from an American Research Bureau (ARB)
Rating Report 115
116 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
well as commercial programs. Service used by local stations,
networks, national and local advertisers and advertising agen-
cies. ARB surveys over 35 markets.
Trendex Ratings
Viewing of individual programs measured in ten or more
cities by telephone "coincidental" survey. Random sample
selected from telephone book. Sample: approximately 600
calls per quarter-hour period. Reports monthly on: Trendex ratings (per cent of people who report watching each show
at the time they are interviewed); sets in use; program's
share of audience. Reports three times a year on sponsor
identification and audience composition. Trendex is princi-
pally a national network service. Service used by networks,
national and local advertisers and advertising agencies.
Trendex operates exclusively in markets where at least three
national networks have individual affiliates.
In addition to stations, networks, advertisers and agencies,
many allied businesses make wide use of the rating services
listed above. Among these are national spot representatives,
TV film sales organizations, talent agencies, press agents, etc.
PRODUCTION AND STAGING SERVICES
The average television salesman may be somewhat mysti-
fied by the complexities of TV production. Few salesmen can
be expected to be experts on the physical requirements for
staging a show. Rarely will he have need of this skill anyhow.
But some knowledge about cameras and booms, scenic de-
sign and make-up, studio equipment and technical direction
is desirable. At least the bare essentials should be understood, if a
salesman is to talk to clients intelligently. If a client thinks
the production costs for his show are excessive, the salesman
Fig. 10. A Teleiishon Station Studio
117
118 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
should be able to explain the staging requirements that necessitated the cost. The salesman should be able to justify
production costs billed to his clients, and to do that requires some understanding of each of the services necessary to
getting a show on the air. Salesmen should spend as much time as possible indoc-
trinating themselves in the various elements of production.
Conferences with producers, directors, scenic designers, cam-
eramen, audio men, floor directors, etc., will be highly profit-
able. The more a salesman knows about production, the
better he will serve the interests of his station and the in-
terests of his clients. Here are a few brief points to investigate about your station:
1. What is the maximum number of cameras that can be
used for a single studio show?
2. What size crew is required to operate your station's
biggest production? 3. In your maximum crew, how many of the following are
used: cameramen, dolly operators, audio men, video
men, boom operators, property men or stagehands,
teleprompter operators, lighting men?
4. What are your station's facilities for scenic design?
5. How many projectors does your station have: 16 -mm
film projectors? 35 -mm film projectors? slide projectors?
(size of slides used by projector); balopticons or telopti-
cons? Facilities for rear -screen projection?
6. What facilities does your station offer for the construc-
tion of sets and scenery?
7. Does your station's art director assist in the preparation
of commercials? 8. Is your station equipped to prepare title cards and
telops in the shop?
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 119
9. How are stage properties acquired? Does the station maintain a complement of stock equipment? Does the station lease furniture, lamps, etc., from local retailers?
10. What are the restrictions on the use of commercial display items? Must they be shipped by union carrier? To whom are they shipped?
11. What are the problems of the construction of commer- cial display items? Must they be constructed by union personnel?
12. What color problems may be encountered in televising commercial props?
13. What are the provisions for disposition of commercial props after the show?
14. Is the station equipped for costuming? What are the limitations of access to costumes?
15. What are the facilities for make-up? 16. What are the dimensions of each of your television
studios? What type of programs originates from each? 17. If the station has a mobile unit, what is its range of
coverage? Can it handle commercials from a remote pickup point?
18. Are there any limitations against switching from one type of transmission to another, such as live studio to film studio, film studio to balopticon, live studio show to live commercial, etc.?
19. What are the station's facilities for lighting? 20. What is the procedure for handling commercial film?
To whom is it shipped? How far in advance of the broadcast time must it be received?
Finally, there is the biggest question of all: How much does it cost?
Most stations have standard published rates for studio re-
120 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
hearsals of both live and film programs. These costs normally
include use of cameras, microphones, projectors, wages of the
crew and use of the studio space itself. In addition to these
charges, any number of additional costs may be incurred for
which there may be no established rates. Any one or several
of the following items may be included in the cost of
production:
scenery special lighting
effects doors windows staircases furniture house or store
furnishings lamps mantels
jogs drapes costume rental costume design scenic design scenic decora-
tion make-up hairdressing title cards film rental
electrical service
special prop construction
kitchen appliances
food and drink rear -screen
projection photographs
The salesman should be familiar with his station's billing and accounting procedures for production services. Some sta-
tions bill on a straight cost-plus basis, others on a percentage of the initial cost of the item. Personal investigation is the only way to find out your station's individual policies.
To assist the salesman in familiarizing himself with the production characteristics and facilities of his station, the chart given opposite when filled -in will present an accurate
"profile" of the station. Since the complexities of production are so manifold, it
has become universal practice to "package" all the production costs together with talent costs in order to present one figure
for the "program." Under this procedure, the advertiser's
total bill includes three major elements: (1) program costs,
(2) studio rehearsal costs, (3) time costs. The fact that the
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 121
Outline Chart of TV Station Production Facilities
Service
Offered Basis by Responsible Facilities for
station? person available billing
1. Live studio No. 1
2. Live studio No. 2 3. Live studio No. 3 4. Film studio No. 1
5. Film studio No. 2 6. Mobile unit 7. 16 -mm sound projector(s) 8. 35 -mm sound projector(s) 9. Kinescope recording
facilities 10. Slide projector 11. Balopticon or telopticon 12. Rear -screen projection 13. Scenic design facilities 14. Set construction shop 15. Stock furniture inventory 16. Stock kitchen inventory 17. Property rental facilities 18. Motion -picture filming
facilities 19. Costume wardrobe 20. Costume rental 21. Make-up 22. Title cards 23. Live commercials 24. Film commercials 25. Animated commercials 26. Photographs (still) 27. Sound effects 28. Record library 29. Audio turntables 30. Lighting
program department may not break down all the components in the figure called "program costs" does not mean that the salesman should be unconcerned about what is covered by the end figure. Many prospects will have difficulty understanding why Georgey Emcee costs $300 per show on television when
122 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
the same guy with the same jokes can be bought on radio for
$40 flat. The salesman who is familiar with production costs
can relieve the suspicion that Georgey and the station are
trying to take the advertiser for a ride. It isn't necessary to have worked in the Buick assembly
plant in order to be able to sell Buicks, nor need the television
salesman become an expert on TV production. But the Buick
salesman should know a carburetor from a fan belt, and his
TV counterpart should similarly know the fundamentals of
how his product is put together. You can make sales without
this knowledge, but "knowing the product" is still regarded
as the first requirement of good salesmanship.
TELEVISION COMMERCIALS
With a basic knowledge of television production, the sales-
man is eminently better qualified to be an expert in an area
where he should be an expert-television commercials. The
commercial is the reason the salesman has a job. We talk of
selling "programs," but actually the advertiser doesn't buy
programs, he buys commercials. The program delivers the
audience that the advertiser expects to sell through his com-
mercials. Let the salesman always keep in mind the fact that
those minutes or seconds of commercial time are the raison
d'être of any sale. And let the salesman accept his role as the
expert in helping the advertiser get maximum benefit from
his commercials. Advertisers may buy commercials in any of the following
varieties:
1. Commercials in varying length within the content of a
program wholly sponsored by one advertiser
2. Commercials within the content of a program shared in
sponsorship between two or more advertisers
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 123
3. One -minute "participations" in which an advertiser's commercial is inserted into a program along with those of several other one -minute participating advertisers
4. 20 -second station breaks-isolated announcements placed between programs during the 30 -second period in which the station identifies itself. Some stations offer one -minute station breaks between non -network pro- grams
5. 10 -second shared station -identification breaks in which the advertiser shares the screen with the station's call - letter identification and the audio time with the station's audio identification.
The advertiser who buys an entire program enjoys several advantages over the buyer of "spots." He is a "sponsor" in the truest sense of the word. Commercial time in the program is his and his alone. The viewers of the program are exposed to no other advertising for the entire period of time the show is on the air. The talent and the show itself are highly merchandisable. The highest degree of identification between the sponsored product and the program is achieved.
Program advertisers are allotted a predetermined amount of time in which to da their selling. In a half-hour evening show, the average commercial allocation is three minutes. The advertiser may employ those three minutes in a variety of ways. Generally he will use 15 to 30 seconds in an opening and closing "billboard" that identifies the program's sponsor. In between, he may use three 45- to 50 -second announcements, or two 75 -second commercials or other combinations. Most stations restrict sponsors to three commercials in a half-hour evening period, although the length of each announcement may vary according to the client's need, as long as the over- all limitation of three minutes of time is not exceeded.
124 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
The National Association of Radio and Television Broad-
casters (NARTB) has defined commercial limitations in its
"Code of Standards." These standards are generally applicable whether a period is sponsored by one or several advertisers.
Although the standards are not obligatory, most stations
adhere to the NARTB code as a matter of good business
practice. The NARTB standards for commercial time are
given in the accompanying table.
NARTB Standards for Commercial Time
Length of period, minutes
Maximum number of commercial minutes News programs, All other programs day and night Class A time All other hours
5 1:00. 1:00 1:00
10 1:45 2:00 2:10 15 2:15 2:30 3:00 25 2:50 4:00 80 3:00 4:15 45 4:30 4:45 60 6:00 7:00
A type of advertising that has become popular in television
is the "shared -sponsorship" of programs. Under this system, a
single program may be sponsored jointly by two, three or
more advertisers. At the beginning of the program all the co-
sponsors receive billboard identification, and the commercial
time during the show is shared equally by each sponsor.
Another method of shared -sponsorship is alternating sponsors
between broadcasts. One advertiser sponsors an entire broad-
cast with the exception of one commercial for the alternating
program sponsor. On the next broadcast the second advertiser
has the whole show, but plugs advertiser No. 1 at the end of
his show. Next to full sponsorship of a program, the shared -
sponsorship of a program is perhaps the most desirable form
of television advertising. It retains the advantages of program
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 125
sponsorship and maintains continuity, yet reduces costs con- siderably. Such programs as "Your Show of Shows," the "Kate Smith Hour" and "Omnibus" would not be possible were it not for the shared -sponsorship plan.
One -minute announcements or "participations" and 20 - second and 10 -second station breaks are the types of commer- cials most universally used by local and national spot adver- tisers. The spot advertiser sacrifices exclusivity of sponsorship and the merchandisable advantages of program advertising. But he receives frequency of impact at a relatively low cost. Many, perhaps the majority, of local advertisers simply can't afford to sponsor entire programs, but most of them can take advantage of "spots." (Note: "Spots" or "spot announce- ments" is the popular term applied to announcements sold independently of programs. "Spot advertising" is the trade name of all business placed in selected markets by the national representatives of stations, whether it is for local programs or announcements.)
One -minute announcements are inserted within the body of programs, whereas 20 -second and 10 -second spots are placed during the half -minute station break between programs. Many local shows are called "participating programs," indicat- ing that one -minute announcements or participations are accommodated. Among popular participating shows are hour- long movies, cooking shows, home economic programs, "per- sonality" shows, kid movie shorts, etc. Network cooperative programs ("co-ops") provide another vehicle for inserting one -minute announcements locally. Technically, one -minute - announcement advertisers are not program sponsors, but some stations do give them opening and closing billboards as an added feature of participation. It is difficult for an advertiser, however, to claim "sponsorship" of a program in which a dozen other products are promoted. The primary value of
126 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
one -minute announcements lies in the impact of 60 seconds of
selling in the most effective advertising medium at the lowest
possible cost. Advertisers have been quick to recognize the
enormous merit of one -minute announcements. The 20 -second station break is ideal for promoting a
product that does not require a long sales message. If an
advertiser needs more time to describe his product, one -
minute announcements may be more desirable, but for the
brief "sell," station breaks are perfect. They are placed, of
course, between programs throughout the broadcast day.
Highly popular nighttime network shows are the choicest
"adjacencies" for 20 -second announcements, and the spots
between these shows are always the first to be sold. Station
breaks often offer the advertiser the only opportunity for
capitalizing on the maximum television audiences at night.
Station breaks are attractive in daytime, too, for they offer a
low-cost method of promoting products to housewives and
youngsters. Several years ago an advertiser who was interested in fre-
quent, short commercials proposed that stations share their
call -letter and channel -identification panel with a "billboard" promoting his product. After some negotiations on mechanical
production and pricing, the "station -identification -sharing"
commercial was born. The technique is in general use today.
These 10 -second "quickies" are limited to about twelve words
of copy. They usually occupy 75 percent of the television
screen, the other 25 percent containing the station's call -
letters and channel number. At the end of the 10 -second com-
mercial, the station identification is made in one fast gasp by
an announcer. These are the briefest "productions" in show
business. Some utilize animations, jingles, dialogue, the
works ... all this plus "WXXX-TV, Channel 4, Hometown"
in 10 seconds flat. Being the shortest, these are also the least
rìZJ .5.1V.J.:#
USE YOUR COUPON
WORTH 10(
(C,urtesy Nu Yolk, N.Y.) Fig. 11. Station -Identification -Sharing Telops
127
128 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
expensive commercials in television. For maximum impres- sions at lowest cost they cannot be topped, but their useful- ness is limited to products requiring only brief billboard exposure to get over their message.
FORMS OF TELEVISION COMMERCIALS
Within the framework of the types of commercials dis-
cussed above, a commercial may take several forms, the most common of which are:
1. Live 2. Sound -on -film 3. Voice -over -film 4. Voice-over-balop (balopticons) 5. Combinations of any of the above
Live commercials, which are handled by announcers, actors or stars of the show, are usually produced on a special set, which is apart from the program's sets. Integrated commer- cials are interwoven into the content of the program itself. They have the advantage of getting into the sales message without formal interruption of the program, but the dis-
advantage, sometimes, of annoying the viewer by confusing program content with commercials. The independent com- mercial, which is completely separate from the program content, may be effective or boring, depending on how well it is produced. Though there are strong protagonists and antagonists of both integrated and separate commercials, either technique can be vastly effective. The integrated U. S.
Tobacco commercials on "Martin Kane" and the independent Westinghouse demonstrations by Betty Furness on "Studio One" are outstanding examples of superior uses of each tech- nique. Live commercials have an immediacy and a human quality that make them attractive. They are also the most
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 129
flexible form of television advertising. Copy can literally be changed at the last minute.
Film commercials produced with a sound track (sound -on - film) offer a wider opportunity for unique photographic effects than live commercials. Animated cartoons, scenic effects, trick photography, quick costume or set changes are all possible with film commercials.
The chance of human error, always present in a live com- mercial, is nonexistent in the film announcement. A film com- mercial can be shot over and over again and edited into a "flawless" production. Clients know exactly how their film commercials will appear on the home screen. The choice of film or live commercials depends upon the best method of presenting the product and a careful weighing of the advan- tages and disadvantages of each technique.
Voice -over -film commercials, though not too widely used, offer some advantages. They retain the flexibility of live com- mercials, since the audio portion is read by an on -the -scene announcer. And through the use of film, all the visual effects possible in motion -picture photography are possible. The biggest disadvantage of this technique is the lack of syn- chronization between what is seen and what is heard.
Voice-over-balops is the least expensive method of pro- ducing commercials. Unlike live commercials, which require sets, props, stagehands, actors, directors and camera crews or film commercials, which also require expensive production, voice-over-balop announcements can be produced with a few simple pieces of artwork and a page of announcement copy. As the announcer reads the commercial, the balops or slides are changed on cue to illustrate the copy. This is the method used by many small local advertisers because of budget limitations. For that reason, the balopticon cards and copy must be as eye-catching and ear -catching as possible.
130 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Every station should have a skilled and imaginative graphic artist who can visualize good, attention -getting commercials. It is a great loss to television when an advertiser fails to get
results because of ineffective commercials. Since the smallest
and the newest advertisers in the medium will tend to use the
least costly commercials (voice-over-balops), it behooves the
station to develop this form of commercial to its highest de-
gree of effectiveness.
TELEVISION STATION RATES
As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the standard pro-
cedure of pricing television programs is "packaging" all pro-
duction costs and talent costs to form a single figure for the
program cost. Added to this, the advertiser must pay for studio
rehearsal time. Finally, the station charges according to its
rate card for "air time." The television -station rate card details the standard charges
for various lengths of time at various times during the
broadcast day. The "base hourly rate" is the starting point
for most rate cards. That rate is the gross cost (before dis-
counts) of one hour of Class A (best evening) time. All the
other rates are percentages of this rate in three dimensions:
(1) gradations by length of broadcast (í/ hour, 1/4 hour, 10
minutes, etc.); (2) gradations by time of day (morning,
afternoon, evening, late evening); and (3) gradations by
number of broadcasts bought (1 to 13 times, 14 to 26 times,
27 to 52 times, etc.). The latter category is a reflection of
"frequency discounts," in which rates per broadcast are
reduced according to the quantity of broadcasts used. Other
forms of discounts in use today are "dollar -volume" discounts,
in which a percentage of reduction is applied to the total gross
amount of expenditure per week or per year; and "cash dis-
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 131
counts," a two -percent deduction for accounts paid before the tenth of the month.
Announcement and station -break rates are also quoted in the various "classes" of time. Frequency discounts are applied similarly.
When a station increases its time rates, two policies are generally followed: (1) Announcement of the increase is made at least 30 days in advance of the effective day, and (2) clients of the station are protected at their cm -rent rate for a period of three to twelve months after the new rates go into effect. These policies avoid pulling the rug from under existing clients and offer an incentive for new advertisers to contract for time before rates increase.
A number of stations follow a "contiguous -rate" policy under which one advertiser can purchase two periods adjacent to each other for the price of a single period equal to the combined time of the two periods. For example: Station WXXX's gross quarter-hour rate is $400 in Class B time. The half-hour rate is $600. If an advertiser buys two adjacent quarter-hour periods, each with a separate show, he pays $600 gross (the half-hour rate) instead of $800 (twice the quarter-hour rate). Networks and some stations offer adver- tisers the benefit of contiguous rates, regardless of whether the two shows are "back-to-back," provided the periods fall in daytime periods on the same day.
Live studio rehearsal charges are normally quoted on a flat one-time basis. The standard rates vary in accordance with the size of the studio and the amount of time the studio is used. Many stations do not charge extra for an announced minimum amount of rehearsal time, but if the advertiser exceeds the limit, he is billed for the additional time. The rate card should list the equipment, personnel, etc., covered in the standard studio rehearsal rates. If a program requires
132 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
additional equipment or larger crews, costs increase
accordingly. Film studio rehearsal rates are published by some television
stations. It takes manpower and overhead to run through a
film show prior to the broadcast. Some stations absorb these
costs, others assess the advertiser for them. Normally, no
charges are made for testing and checking balopticons or
one -minute, 20- or 10 -second film commercials. The accompanying illustration shows a typical station rate
card, with notes describing the basis for the various rates.
General Information
trieerree Radb,ed o.... . 17,300 one*
eedb . . . I4,000 welts
Frequency . . t86.101 Megarytlae . . CkvmeNO
. Lotion Time 10aY09b, m.ieç rme rvb
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eranagn5anetlnle
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oll Prodar, m n .1sjeetm aa oevae
by One .ration.
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of Voodoo* lmiiirier wtMfn oath ).day period,
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(Courtesy of WTOP-TV, Washington, D.C.)
Fig. 12. A Television Station Rate Card (partially illustrated)
9,eyn Per wee& i>ten,91.1e,
9no0r9n, eedends lender Seinon 15 Pt 0e, Inee9 eeeree fee ,ostlreations esy be numb,* 1.15ays Per A1 pet . , .1,18 mu, !MAT DYE
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(Courtesy of WTOP-TV, Washington, D.C.) Fig. 12. (Continued)
133
134 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Program and production costs are rarely included in a
station's rate card, for they are practically impossible to
standardize. Rates for participations within certain programs are published, however, and these rates may include a portion of the program cost as well as the time cost. Other program
costs may be quoted periodically in bulletins, with the pro-
vision that they are "subject to change without notice." Rate policies are usually printed on the rate card, together
with all the basic applications of the published rates. Other data, such as the station's power, its studio and transmitter location, names of executives, hours of operation, may be
included. It goes without saying that the rate card is one of the most
frequently used tools of the television salesman. It is impera-
tive that the salesman know and understand every word and
every figure in his station's rate card.
STATION CONTRACTS
No attempt will be made to describe a "typical" station
contract, for every station has its own individual rules of the
game. The salesman should be intimately acquainted with the
language and meaning of his station's contracts and as well-
informed as possible on his competitors' contractual pro-
visions. Each phrase in the station's standard contract form
should be interpreted for the salesman by a competent
authority, so that no misunderstandings will develop between
clients and salesmen. In addition to the provisions of the
standard contract form, the salesman should be familiar with
station policies on possible additions or amendments to the
contract. He should know, at least in broad terms, what pro-
visions the station will and will not include in the contract.
e,r,..>n,.a es
SPOT SALES d me
San 'Wane ,....,e. b .
ADVERTISING CONTRACT
St. I.ouio, Mo., ..._....__...._._..._____..193
IN CONSIDERATION of the payments hereinafter provided for, The Pulitzer Publishing Company, owner and operator of TELEVISION STATION KSD?V, hereby leases the use of its telecasting facilities to
for the following periods and times; subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth:
1. Number of periods.......___...._....__ ..................___.._...._.........._........._...._.............._..._-
2. Days
3. Time ..._.._._..._......___ _._........._......__......._..........._.........-.....__._....._.._..._._.._......
4. Contract seats ..._...___._.._._..._._.. Contract ezpires....._......__ .............._...._
T. Duration of each period...
Program Format and Requirements --
Station charge, facilities only
Station charge, talent
Station charge, technical
Station charge, remote
per program
per program
TOTAL COST ._.._ - per program
TOTAL COST OF CONTRACT .....
It is understood that this contract is subject to all the rules, regulations and restrictions printed on the reverse side hereof, and in the KSDTV rate card.
Accepted: THE PULITZER PUBLISHING CO.
General Manager, Station RSDTV.
Salesman. T -a
(Courtesy of KSD-TV, St. Louis, Mo.) Fig. 13. A Television Station Advertising Contract Form
135
136 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
An illustration of the standard contract form used by station KSD-TV in St. Louis is presented on page 135.
As an aid to familiarizing the salesman with his station's own contract forms, the accompanying table may prove
useful.
Check List of Contract Form Provisions
Provisions under station's Subject standard contract
1. Rehearsal time specifications 2. Broadcast failures 3. Pre-emption for public-
service programs 4. Handling audience mail 5. Program acceptance 6. Right to modify program 7. Right to modify commercial 8. Quality of film acceptance 9. Substitutions for unacceptable
material 10. Ownership of scenery, props, etc. 11. Exclusivity of broadcasting
rights 12. Basis of charges 13. Billing procedures 14. Modification of charges 15. Rate protection 16. Effect of increased union
labor agreements on charges 17. Advertising agency commission 18. Effect of changing agencies
during contract period 19. Program time changes 20. Prior notification of
time changes 21. Automatic cancellation upon
failure to agree on time changes 22. Defending litigation against
agency or advertiser 23. Material or property liability 24. Cancellation privileges 25. Renewal provisions 26. General provisions
THE TOOLS OF TELEVISION SELLING 137
OTHER TOOLS
In the television salesman's "kit" are a number of selling tools applicable to specific sales situations. Like the skilled surgeon, the salesman learns when and how to apply each device to perform the required result.
The sharpest -edged tools are those that prove the selling power of television. Since this is the primary reason adver- tisers spend money in any medium, there is no better buy- ing incentive than the proof that television packs an enor- mous sales impact. Among the devices useful to this end are: stories of sales successes enjoyed by other advertisers, sales ef- fectiveness surveys (see page 100), testimonial letters from successful TV advertisers, chart of companies' sales volume compared to expenditures for television advertising, histories of long-term television clients, increases in television adver- tising investments. Any information demonstrating the basic and essential point that television increases sales should be subpoenaed for duty in the salesman's arsenal.
Proof that television produces responsive audiences is valu- able ammunition too, particularly if used in connection with the presentation of an individual program. The best demon- strations of TV's pulling power may be found in the response to offers made on the air. The quantity of mail received, the number of phone calls received, the number of TV -pro- moted pamphlets or premiums requested in the store, all pro- vide concrete evidence of audience reaction. Special surveys of public opinion or advertising -recall will indicate public awareness of television programs and/or commercials. Fa- vorable reviews and editorials are indicative of a program's audience appeal. Publicity stories reflect the influence and vitality of television shows. The sum total of all such evidence
138 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
assembled for a given program adds considerable weight to
the salesman's presentation. The station's efforts in advertising, promoting and mer-
chandising its programs are three important additional tools
for the salesman. A report of the specific promotional activi-
ties undertaken, together with their dollar value, makes a
document impressive to the prospect, for such a report dem-
onstrates increased values of program sponsorship. Chapter
22 discusses these operations in detail.
Finally, the salesman's "kit" should contain the product
itself, or at least a reasonable facsimile. Audition films or
kinescopes of programs available for sale offer excellent op-
portunities to demonstrate the program directly to the pro-
spective buyer. Practically all syndicated film companies fur-
nish stations with audition films. Some stations prepare film
auditions of local shows for viewing by advertisers. If a
film is not available, the prospect should be urged to watch
the show on his own TV set, or better still, he can be invited
to the station to see a broadcast. Probably the most desirable
place for auditioning a program, either live or film, is in the
station studios. Some stations provide their salesmen with
portable film projectors that can be set up in a prospect's
office for convenient viewing of available shows. It is most
important to expose the program to the advertiser if he is
not already familiar with it. How this is done is not as im-
portant as getting it done.
One dramatic device for provoking advertiser interest in a
program is filming commercials of his product and inserting
them into the audition. The advertiser who is short on im-
agination may not be able to visualize his product on tele-
vision. Seeing his product demonstrated in an audition can
be pretty convincing. Although this is an expensive and time-
consuming operation, it can pay off handsomely.
CHAPTER 23
Television Sales Techniques
The basic elements of salesmanship outlined for radio in Chapters 4 through 8 are equally applicable to television. Though salesmanship in radio and television may be similar, the techniques of selling are quite different.
Television salesmen with previous radio experience may be inclined to sell television as if it were just pictorial radio. But as advertising media, radio and television are distinctly dissimilar. Television is a vital, new advertising force, a new medium of expression, an entirely new creation. Television isn't "radio with pictures," any more than it's magazines with sound. Television is television.
One of the greatest deterrents to television progress is the radio millstone that is still strung around the neck of the in- dustry. This is not to discredit radio, but many of the tech- niques of radio selling are simply not transferable to tele- vision selling. In programming, the least successful television shows are those that simply train a camera on a radio program. What is the point of the dimensions of sight and motion if they are not to be used imaginatively?
The television salesman calls on some advertisers who are well versed in radio. The advertiser who is experienced in radio makes an excellent prospect for television. But the for -
139
140 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
mer radio advertiser may not fully appreciate the dimensions
of the new medium, its striking difference from radio. The TV salesman must emphasize the wide disparity between the
commercial uses of radio and television, directing his client
to evaluate television as a wholly new selling force. Adver-
tisers who take advantage of commercial techniques peculiar
to television gain infinitely more from the medium than
those who simply televise radio commercials. The salesman
must visualize to his prospects the almost unlimited possi-
bilities of selling and merchandising through television. Not
only will he be performing a service to his accounts: he will
be making a contribution to the future of television adver-
tising. The salesman who will let his client put any kind of
trash on the air is shirking his responsibility to his profession.
From the standpoint of sheer impact, few people will dis-
pute television's clear superiority over other media. But
in other respects, television meets advertiser resistance.
Throughout the television salesman's career, he will encoun-
ter resistance to "the high cost of television." Much time will
be spent "justifying" television costs. Overcoming this hurdle
is one of the great challenges of selling the medium. The fact
that, literally, thousands of advertisers are now using tele-
vision is testimony that the challenge is being met.
SELLING THE HIGH COST OF TELEVISION
Since the cost factor is of such major importance, a full
exposition of techniques for dealing with this sales problem
is indicated. Though this may appear to be a "negative" ap-
proach, it is, nevertheless, realistic. Effective selling requires
"facing up" to resistance to television costs, for if the sales-
man is persuasive in this area, his success is almost certain.
Advertisers who are experienced in radio find it difficult
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 141
to understand why television costs so much more than radio. In the first place, time charges exceed those of radio, yet tele- vision has a smaller circulation. Then, program costs are sub- stantially higher. To aggravate the situation, television sta- tions even charge extra for studio rehearsal, which is un- heard of in radio. Why, the advertiser asks, are such high costs necessary?
The answer may be in the form of a question. What does the advertiser base his rates on? Why does he sell one product for $20 and another for $200? Obviously, because the $200 product costs a lot more to produce. Why does the $200 item sell? Because it serves a purpose that cheaper items do not.
The same is true of television. Television costs the advertiser more because it costs more
to produce, and it serves a purpose that less expensive media do not. The average radio station can be constructed for an investment of approximately $50,000. The average television station requires a capital investment of $400,000, eight times as much. A television station's payroll is two to four times as large as that of a radio station. Operating expenses are much greater too. In any business, rates are based upon production costs plus a reasonable profit. That is an axiom that any businessman understands. And it happens that the percentage of profit for television stations is lower than that for radio stations. Any station manager can verify that.
Why are program costs higher? The answer is the same. It costs more to produce a television program. For an example, let's compare the personnel and equipment required for a locally originated home economics show on radio with the same program on television. The practically minimum re- quirements for the simplest type of format are shown in the following table.
142 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Comparison of Personnel and Equipment for Radio and TV Shows
WXXX WXXX-TV
Personnel for air show
1. The home economist 1. The home economist 2. One director 2. One producer -director 3. One studio engineer 3. One video engineer 4. One transmitter engineer 4. One audio engineer
Total: 4 people 5. Two cameramen 6. One dolly operator 7. One technical supervisor 8. One lighting engineer 9. Two stagehands
10. One master control engineer 11. One transmitter engineer
Total: 13 people
Personnel for preparing air show
1. One script writer 1. One script writer Total: 1 person 2. One scenic designer
3. One scenic artist 4. One graphic artist 5. One make-up artist
Total: 5 people
1. One table microphone 2. One table 3. One chair
Studio equipment I. Two cameras 2. One dolly 3. Two boom microphones 4. Lighting equipment 5. Three "flats" (scenery) 6. One couch 7. One lounge chair 8. One floor lamp 9. Picture on wall
10. Coffee table 11. Coffee pot, cups, saucers 12. Window curtain, photo outside
window simulating outdoor view
13. Kitchen equipment, including electric stove, electric refrig- erator (with proper electrical outlets), work table, cabinets, mixing bowls, utensils, grocer- ies, etc.
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 143
So this radio program, produced with a girl, a microphone and a script, becomes practically a Broadway production on television: 18 people plus thousands of dollars worth of props and equipment. The miracle is that the TV show doesn't cost twenty times more.
Why do television stations charge for studio rehearsal? All the personnel and equipment required for the actual broad- cast are needed for camera rehearsals. Radio stations may absorb the costs of studio rehearsal because of its relatively small expense, but television stations cannot. If television "absorbs" such expenses, they have to be paid ultimately by the advertiser in the form of higher rates or program costs. The expense is inescapable, whether it is charged as studio rehearsal costs or is apparently absorbed by the station. In addition to the cost of rehearsal, it should be noted that tele- vision programs require considerably more time for rehearsal. It is not unusual for radio programs to go on the air without rehearsal, but in television, rehearsal is essential. Everyone from the star down to the dolly operator and stagehands has to know exactly what to do and when to do it. This takes time ... and money.
Talent costs more on television because much more time and effort are required. On radio, the talent reads a script or "ad libs." On television, scripts must be memorized, stage business must be planned and rehearsed. An artist who might spend an hour preparing for a radio show may have to spend ten hours or more preparing for a television performance.
"But," the advertiser may say, "the fact that television costs more to produce is your problem. I can understand why it is costly to you, but that doesn't mean that it is worth what it would cost me." Well, is it? Let's see.
If television is sold strictly on a "circulation" basis, per- haps it is not worth a premium price. In sheer weight of
144 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
numbers or "impressions," radio tops television. Bus cards,
billboards, sky -writing ... any number of media are exposed
to more people than television. And these media cost less.
If we go no further, television would, indeed, be a costly
medium. But who would compare a fleeting glance at a bill-
board with a full-fledged product demonstration in a con-
sumer's home? Who would compare a commercial that reaches
only the ear with the sight -sound -and -motion impact of tele-
vision? Would any businessman consider the influence of a
handbill comparable to his best salesman talking face-to-face
with customers? Certainly not. Similarly, television can hardly
be compared with strictly advertising media. Television
should be compared to sales media, for it is more related to
straight selling than to advertising. Sales are usually made either in the store or in the home.
In the latter environment, there are three basic sales media:
the personal representative of the company, the recommenda-
tions of friends ... and television. Of these three, the com-
pany exercises control over only two, in -person selling and
television selling. The cost of sending a personal representative to call on
prospective buyers is staggering compared to the cost of
demonstrating a product via television. If a salesman made
twenty calls a day and was paid only $100 per week, each call
would cost his firm one dollar. Through the use of television
the cost per "sales call" would approximate one cent. Tele-
vision is the least expensive method of demonstrating and
selling a product in the home. It should be sold as such.
Furthermore, television's impact on people encourages
them to recommend television -advertised products to their
friends. So, even the second "in -home" method of selling is
made more productive by the influence of television.
On a cost -per -demonstration basis, or a cost -per -thousand
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 145
basis, no medium of expression offers so much influence for so little money. If television is sold as a sales medium, costs will not seem unreasonable.
In a research -obsessed industry like advertising, buyers tend to apply the slide rule to everything. Television's results prove that the slide rule cannot measure the quality of a medium. The real test of advertising is its ability to sell.
Television is the closest thing to personal selling ever invented.
OTHER SALES PROBLEMS WITH THE EXPERIENCED ADVERTISER
The experienced advertiser may make additional criticisms of television besides the cost factor. Here are some typical objections:
1. Television doesn't have a large enough circulation. 2. It isn't as flexible as radio. Too much time is required
to change commercials. 3. The best time goes to the networks. There's no good
time left for local advertisers. 4. Daytime radio reaches people while they are doing other
things, but no one has the time to watch TV in the day- time.
5. Television commercials are too nebulous. If people don't see them at the moment they are on the air, they are lost. Newspaper ads are permanent, can be referred to many times.
Good salesmanship requires intelligent, positive answers to these criticisms. The answers are easily substantiated by a combination of facts and logic:
1. In "mature" television markets television set circulation usually exceeds that of the largest newspaper. Even in
146 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
a relatively new market, usually more homes will be
reached by television than by the largest weekly na-
tional magazine. In market after market, it has been
proved that television, in the short space of five or six
years after its inception, will exceed the circulation of
every advertising medium except radio. Even though
radio's total potential may be greater than television's,
Nielsen, Hooper and others have proved that more
people see the average television program than listen to
the average radio program. More individuals watch each
television set, too. TV is now the "family medium,"
radio the "personal medium." 2. Flexibility is a relative term. It is true that more time
is required to change a television film commercial than
an announcement. But "live" TV commercials can be
changed right up to broadcast time. Commercials using
voice-over-balop can also be changed in a matter of
a few minutes. So television commercials are virtually
as flexible as radio, if the advertiser chooses to use com-
mercial techniques that permit the most flexibility.
3. There is no "best" time in television. The program, not
the time period, is the determining factor in attracting
the largest audiences. Many network shows in "prime"
evening time have low ratings; many local shows in
early evening, late evening or afternoon produce siz-
able audiences. A bad show makes any time period bad;
a good show makes any period a good one. Most stations
have the ability to produce local programs of high audi-
ence appeal. Many syndicated film programs gain big-
ger ratings during non -network time than network
shows do in the so-called prime viewing times. The top
ten programs on a station, indeed, may be network
shows, but it is also quite likely that some local shows
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 147
reach larger audiences than the average of all network programs. There is a terrific difference in cost too. The local advertiser would gasp at the price national net- work advertisers are paying to reach his market.* On the basis of homes delivered per dollar, the local ad- vertiser probably has a better deal than the network account.
4. The man who says no one has time to watch television in the daytime is like the client who canceled a Sun- day afternoon network show "because on Sunday after- noons everybody plays polo"! Many of us are inclined to judge the habits of all the people by what we ourselves do. A survey of one is not very accurate research. Actu- ally, daytime television has been enormously successful. Some network programs reach as many as five million homes per broadcast in the daytime. Any hour of the day from 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. has attracted a viewing audi- ence. Good programming, which is always the real key, has built large audiences even during the breakfast hour. Because daytime television is of such vital im- portance to the television salesman, a later chapter will discuss various daytime sales techniques in detail.
5. Perhaps the argument most frequently used by space salesman against television and radio is the one of im- permanence of air commercials. "Miss a TV or radio commercial and it's gone," they say, "but a newspaper ad can be referred to time and again." This hypothesis
* Figure the amount typical network advertisers are paying for your market like this: Add your station's network rate for an advertiser to the propor- tionate cost of his program that is allocated to your market. For example: Your half-hour network time charge for an advertiser is $300, which repre- sents 1 percent of his total network time costs. He pays $40,000 per week for his program. One percent of $40,000 is $400, the allocated program cost assigned to your market. The amount spent by this account each week in your market is therefore $300 plus $400, or $700.
148 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
has an appeal to advertisers, for advertisers like to see
their ads, show them to other people and have a per-
manent record of them. However, the average news-
paper reader does not regard the ads with such fond-
ness. To test the "permanence" of newspaper ads,
here's a simple experiment: After an individual has
thrown his paper away (with no further opportunity
for exposure to its ads), ask him to name all the ads he
recalls in that issue. Ask him, then, to tell you what
each of those ads was about. You'll be surprised at how
impermanent space ads really are. The same fellow may
be questioned on what television shows he saw the pre-
ceding night and who the sponsors were. It will become
quickly apparent that it is not the physical form of the
advertising but its impression value that determines the
permanence of an advertising message. Whether you "re-
search" the point or not, the logic of this statement
holds. Due to its tremendous influence on viewers,
television makes the most lasting commercial impres-
sions of all media. It is better to have a message filed in
the brain of a prospective customer than in the scrap-
book of the client's advertising department.
DEVELOPING NEW TELEVISION ACCOUNTS
Although the television salesman covers every type of ac-
count, special effort should be made to develop those ac-
counts that have never strayed from space advertising. These
will present the greatest challenge. Selling these advertisers
on television will require more imagination and more work,
but in many ways the experience will be more rewarding.
Let's look at some possible approaches to accounts of this
type.
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 149
Department Store Accounts
Study department store advertisements in newspapers. Note the number of different items that are promoted, the relatively small amount of space devoted to much of the mer- chandise. Observe the timeliness of the ads. Apply these principles to television. A department store needs a sufficient amount of commercial time to display many products. Last- minute copy changes will be necessary in order to make the commercials timely. Some products can be displayed simply, others may be demonstrated in detail. The approach: Live commercials are preferable, a "personality" handling the copy. The personality might be a "shopper" who has discov- ered a number of attractive bargains, or a "salesgirl" who tells her customers about the specials of the day. Each product is shown, described and priced. Merchandise that will build store traffic is emphasized: low-cost items, "on sale" products, umbrellas on rainy days, electric fans on hot days. Since de- partment stores are among the most important enterprises in the city, a station would do well to "package" a program tailored to the merchandising requirements of the store. The amount of potential business at stake is worth the effort. The program itself must be designed to accommodate the variety of merchandise that would be displayed during the com- mercials. One of the principal reasons why department stores have not plunged heavily into television is the lack of ini- tiative on the station's part to provide program and commer- cial concepts that fit the stores' requirements.
Clothing Stores
Never a major factor in radio, clothing stores offer un- usually fine prospects for television. The salesman should familiarize himself with the types of merchandise handled
150 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
by each clothing store account and develop a plan for dis-
playing the merchandise on television. Again, newspaper ads
will provide helpful information. The store's window and
counter displays may stimulate ideas too. The number of
ideas for commercials is unlimited, if the salesman will nour-
ish his imagination. Specific suggestions for commercials will give television a
more tangible meaning to prospective sponsors. "Planting"
ideas with a prospect for his use of TV may encourage ideas
of his own to flower. When a prospect starts thinking about
how he can use the medium effectively, the groundwork for
a sale is under way.
Furniture Stores
The "conservative" furniture store operator is not neces-
sarily among the most receptive prospects. Nevertheless, a
great deal of potential business for the television station
lies in the furniture category. The effectiveness of "show-
casing" furniture on television is undeniable. All of its
beauty, style, durability, comfort and construction can be
sold through television. No other medium offers the furni-
ture dealer such a unique opportunity to demonstrate his
merchandise in use.
The tie-in possibilities for furniture are obvious. The
dealer's furniture is incorporated into the program's set.
His products are on display throughout the show, not just
during the commercials. This is an advantage that few ad-
vertisers can enjoy. The products of the furniture store
dealer are truly "integrated" into the program.
Among the dozens of business classifications that are par-
ticularly well suited to television are many opportunities for
developing provocative commercial ideas. It is up to the sales-
man to study his prospects' businesses and develop ideas for
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 151
each account that will dramatize the exciting possibilities offered by advertising on television.
SELLING THE ACCOUNT THAT NEVER BOUGHT RADIO The experienced and successful radio advertiser does not
have to be sold on the value of television as an advertising medium per se, for television's impact is obvious. But the non -radio or "unhappy" radio advertiser needs more educa- tion in "electronic media." Sales points common to both radio and television belong in the salesman's presentation to the non -radio account. Among these are:
1. The influence of people talking to people about a prod- uct
2. The persuasiveness and warmth of the human voice 3. The amount of time people spend watching television
compared to other activities 4. The loyalty built among viewers to a program they
"can't miss" 5. The advantage of the advertiser's being responsible for
bringing a service or entertainment to potential cus- tomers
6. The flexibility of commercials, permitting last-minute copy changes
7. The merchandising advantages inherent in sponsoring a star or a program
8. The amount of selling time available to the advertiser
Some accounts have avoided radio because of its inability to display products. Television, the most dramatic of the visual media, should have an enormous appeal to such ad- vertisers. Accounts that have employed billboards, taxi posters and other strictly "impression" media have a much greater "billboard" opportunity in television through 10-
152 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
second or 20 -second station breaks. Accounts that require
visualization together with a comprehensive "sell" are excel-
lent prospects for television program sponsorship or one -min-
ute announcements. In comparison with other media, tele-
vision is unique in that it has the visual advantages of news-
papers and magazines, the aural advantages of radio and
the "personality" of salesmen. Regardless of how any com-
pany currently sells and advertises, its methods have some-
thing in common with television. Showing an advertiser how
to use television is an unusually effective way to provoke
initial interest in the medium. A number of commercial
ideas may be developed for each of the major classifications
of business in the area. The local classified telephone direc-
tory is an excellent source for locating all the business classi-
fications that could conceivably use television.
An analysis of the business classifications in his market will
give the salesman (1) a broader knowledge of television's wide
potential in his area, and (2) an excellent base from which
to develop sales stories for many new categories of accounts.
A business classification analysis will stimulate a more cre-
ative sales approach to many types of accounts.
Regardless of whether an advertiser has used radio or not,
he should be sold television as television. Attempting to sell
warmed-over radio ideas as television is to defeat the intrinsic
values of the medium. Television's unique abilities to vis-
ualize, demonstrate, discuss and sell a product or service can-
not be overemphasized. The more thoroughly the full di-
mensions of television are employed, the more effective the
result. SELLING "SHOW BUSINESS"
The knowledge of the tools and techniques of television
sales are not the only criteria for successful TV selling. The
tools and techniques are comparable to the mechanical com-
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 153
ponents of an automobile: They are essential to its function, but without the streamlined body, a car would be pretty diffi- cult to sell. The "body" of television is show business. It is easy to forget the overwhelming drama that is constantly unfolding on the nation's television screens. It is possible to become so involved in statistics and rates and commercials and availabilities that the essential nature of television is lost. The basic appeal of television is the same magnetic force that fills football stadiums on Saturday afternoons, churches on Sunday morning, sidewalks during a street parade, theaters for plays, concert halls for music, night clubs for vaudeville acts, movie palaces for suspense, the circus tent, the zoo, the carnival, the library. People love to be entertained. They love to be informed,. They love to be inspired. Television answers all of these fundamental desires.
A television set offers a viewer more entertainment in a day than his grandfather enjoyed in a lifetime. The TV owner attends political conventions, the World Series, the Metropolitan Opera, the coronation of a Queen, and the in- auguration of a President. All these are reasons why tele- vision is so indispensable to modern American living. These are also the reasons why television is so appealing to modern- day advertisers . . . for when a company sells its product through a medium commanding such vast public attention, its opportunities are limitless.
The television salesman should really know show busi- ness. He should cultivate the friendship of artists and enter- tainers. He should get the "feel" of the business, that in- definable something that separates the "Lambs" from the goats. He should read "Variety." He should catch vaudeville acts, movies and plays. The television salesman, in effect, should be a showman.
154 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
PROBLEMS IN SELLING UHF STATIONS IN VHF MARKETS
As pointed out earlier, selling a UHF station in a market
laden with unconverted VHF sets presents unique problems.
The intensity of the problems varies widely according to
local conditions. Perhaps the most common situations are
these:
1. One or more UHF stations in a former one -station VHF
market 2. One or more UHF stations in a former multiple -sta-
tion VHF market 3. One or more UHF stations in a market that has a rela-
tively new VHF station
The last-named condition offers the smallest problem. If
relatively few VHF sets have been sold in a market, the real
potential is still available to combination UHF -VHF sets.
From the date of the first announcement of a new UHF sta-
tion in the area, people can be expected to buy sets capable
of receiving both bands. Set manufacturers ship only UHF -
VHF sets to such markets. The UHF operator should find
himself in a good competitive position fairly early. The sales-
man, then, has an opportunity to develop accounts without
the handicap of a wide gap in circulation between his UHF
station and the VHF competitor. This handicap exists mercilessly, however, when a UHF
station begins operating in a market highly saturated with
VHF -only receivers. Much may be said about ignoring the
UHF -VHF hassle and selling one or the other purely as
television, but the salesman on the street learns quickly that
it is impossible to escape the problem. It is true that the situa-
tion is temporary; the time will come when practically all
sets are capable of receiving both "U" and "V" stations. But
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 155
until that day arrives, the UHF salesman has a real battle. Selling a "U" under these conditions requires plenty of ag- gressiveness, persistence and patience. The success of several UHF stations in mature VHF markets, however, testifies to the fact that the battle can be won.
There are a number of good reasons why the new UHF station in an established VHF market is attractive to ad- vertisers. Here are a few:
1. Opportunities to buy choice time periods that are un- available an the VHF station
2. Opportunity to gain a francbise on a good program and a time period that will be increasingly valuable as UHF conversions mount, even more valuable when the sta- tion converts to color
3. Adjacencies to top -rated network programs, a virtual impossibility on the older "V" station
4. Opportunity to enjoy the full advantages of television's selling effectiveness at a cost far below that of the VHF competition
5. An attractive circulation -cost situation, whereby circula- tion mounts much faster than station rates; it is not unusual for UHF set circulation to double while adver- tisers are paying the same rate
6. A definite guarantee of public attention; each new set or converter sold is concrete proof of another family's interest in the UHF station's programs
7. A faster -growing circulation than the VHF station can claim
8. New, fresh, audience -attracting programs
It should be emphasized that the UHF station's potential in the market is as great as the VHF's. Ultimately, whether it takes one year, three or five, virtually all television homes
156 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
will be capable of receiving both bands, provided the new
UHF station's programs are good enough to sell people on
converting their sets. In the meantime, the UHF salesman
should concentrate on selling the medium of television, know-
ing that his greatest advantage is that he can deliver while
his sold -out VHF competitor cannot. Perhaps the toughest assignment of all is selling a UHF
station in a mature TV market that has three or four long-
established VHF stations. Under such circumstances, con-
versions may be painfully slow. It is axiomatic that people
won't buy converters unless a UHF station provides a wanted
service that otherwise is unobtainable. The success of the
"U" salesman depends largely upon the progress of UHF
conversions, and UHF conversions depend upon the program
appeal of the station. The opportunities for a "U" in a mul-
tiple -station "V" area are good if new and different pro-
gramming is provided. Affiliation with a network having no
outlet in the market, or specializing in sports or full -hour
motion pictures or high -rated syndicated film programs are
examples of such specialized programming. Planning a UHF station's program structure requires
careful study of the program schedules of competing stations
with the objective of providing a service not offered by any
other station. Few people will spend $40 to $125 for con-
verting sets unless they can anticipate a new service that
will make the investment worth while.
Once the station has hit upon the right programming for-
mula, the salesman has his formula for selling. So, in addi-
tion to a competitive rate advantage, programming that mo-
tivates people to convert to UHF will be persuasive evidence
of the station's vitality to prospective advertisers.
These are some of the problems that are inherent in sell-
ing UHF stations during the period when a gap exists be-
TELEVISION SALES TECHNIQUES 157
tween UHF and VHF circulation. Obviously, both UHF and VHF salesmen should devote their principal efforts to sell- ing television as a medium, together with the merits of their individual programs and services. So, regardless of whether a station is "ultra" or "very," the techniques of television sales outlined in earlier pages are applicable.
CHAPTER 14
Servicing the Television Account
Most of the principles of account -servicing outlined in Chapter 7 apply to both radio and television. Procedures used in following a client's sales pattern, checking audience reaction and trends, program or time period changes, etc., are common to both media. In addition to these principles, other problems peculiar to television should be noted.
PREPARATION OF COMMERCIALS
After the contract is signed, the most important task is
getting the new client prepared for a smooth entrance into television. Uppermost in the client's mind is the preparation of commercials that will achieve the greatest amount of sales.
If the client has an advertising agency, it will, of course, handle the creative aspects of the commercials.
Whether the commercials are prepared by the client, the advertising agency or the station, the salesman should as-
sume responsibility for providing the client with the neces-
sary station facilities and services for commercial production. If the advertiser has used television previously and has al-
ready developed his commercial techniques, the work pre- paratory to going on your station is, of course, minimized.
The salesman should be capable of advising his client on 158
SERVICING THE TELEVISION ACCOUNT 159
the best commercial techniques for his product and for his budget. If the client has a small budget, a simple, on -camera live announcement may be indicated. Other inexpensive pos- sibilities are a series of "flip cards" with live voice over .. .
or balop cards with voice over. If product -demonstration commercials are desired, the salesman arranges for their de- velopment through the station production department. The same is true of film commercials. Cost estimates must be made on all station -produced commercials as far in advance of the air -date as possible.
The facilities of the station for set designing and construc- tion, graphic arts, film production, copy preparation and commercial production should be specifically defined to the client. Besides physical facilities and technical assistance, the station may suggest commercial techniques that have proved effective for other advertisers. A new client, today, can profit by the prior experience of others by using commercial meth- ods that have been proved to have the greatest influence on audiences. Some of the accepted principles* of effective tele- vision commercials are as follows:
1. Use audio and video simultaneously to convey a single thought.
2. Prove by demonstration the performance of the prod- uct.
3. Keep the commercial as simple as possible; make it easy for the viewer to grasp the sales points.
4. Choose a person to represent the product or idea who seems compatible with the product or idea. Let the audi- ence know who the person is.
* Note: These principles were evolved by actual tests of several thousand television commercials by the Schwerin Research Corporation. They have been published in detail by the National Broadcasting Company in a booklet entitled "How to Increase the Effectiveness of Television Commercials."
160 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
5. Plan the setting so that every element in it contributes to the impression the advertiser wishes to make. Avoid elements that will detract from that impression.
If the station is assigned the responsibility of developing the client's commercial, the salesman and members of the sta-
tion's creative staff meet with the client to get the details of his sales message and the general "slant" desired for the com- mercial. A script and story -board is then prepared for clear- ance with the client before the commercial is actually pro- duced. Close liaison between the commercial producers and the client is absolutely essential at all times.
TYING -IN THE PRODUCT TO THE SHOW
In addition to the preparation of commercials, the possi-
bilities of product tie-ins during the program should be ex-
plored. Traditionally, the sponsor is identified by brief an- nouncements at the beginning and end of the show. These "billboard" announcements can be interwoven into the pro- gram introduction in the same style used by the program it-
self. Cold, direct billboards that are unrelated to the content of the program are not as efficient as those that blend into the fabric of the show. The "Jackie Gleason Show," for example, "billboards" its sponsor's products with a parade of show
girls; "Martin Kane," by a silhouette of Kane lighting up a
pipeful of Old Briar. Better billboarding of the sponsor's product can be registered through imaginative devices that set
the mood for the program and identify the sponsor simul-
taneously. Opportunities will often arise when the sponsor's product
can be used in the entertainment or service portion of the show. Home furnishings, food products, beverages, electrical appliances, clothing, cigarettes, all appear in television pro-
SERVICING THE TELEVISION ACCOUNT 161
grams. Naturally, if the program has sponsors who manu- facture items used on the show, "editorial" mention or dis- play of their products is intelligent. Salesmen should seek out the possibilities for such tie-ins. Not only will they please the sponsor, but program tie-ins will make the advertised product seem compatible with the show. (More than once, a
TV director has allowed coffee to be served on a program having a tea sponsor, or overlooked the fact that the marga- rine advertiser doesn't happen to like the emphasis on butter in cooking demonstrations.) The salesman may not only sug-
gest tie-ins of sponsored products to the director, but also, in order to avoid embarrassment, he should warn him against the use of conflicting products.
TALENT LOYALTY
The talent on a program should be encouraged to be loyal to the products they advertise ... at least in public. If the local Plymouth dealer sponsors a show, its star should drive a Plymouth. He should buy suits at his sponsor's men's clothing store, drink milk from his sponsor's dairy, smoke his sponsor's brand of cigarette. Besides showing loyalty to his sponsor's products, the artist is also exercising good public relations. The television performer who recommends prod- ucts to his audience, but scuttles his own advice outside the studio, may appear to be a phony to his fans.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
It sometimes becomes necessary to interrupt or change the time period for which a program was originally scheduled. If a program has to be canceled, the clients affected should be informed immediately. If a program has to be rescheduled into another time period, the client must be informed of the reasons for the move, the values of the new time period and
162 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
the plans of the station to promote the program in its new slot.
Clients may wish to "improve" the broadcast time of their programs or spot schedules. The sales department should maintain a list of requests for individual time periods and when the periods become available, offer them first to the clients seeking improvement. There is always a temptation to sell a highly attractive time -period availability to a new advertiser. But when the availability would represent an improvement for a current advertiser who has requested it, he must be given "first refusal." Even though it may be more difficult to sell the period relinquished by the client, sound business practice entitles current clients to priority. This policy is particularly true of announcement and station - break advertisers, some of whom buy less attractive spots with the expectation of improving their position when bet- ter time becomes available.
Station management may wish, for purposes of improving over-all programming, to reschedule certain shows. Since the station's objective in such changes is to improve its audience - appeal, the advertiser may be persuaded to go along on that basis. A clause in the station's contract normally specifies the number of days' notice that must be given before a spon- sor's program is moved. Rescheduling a program, inci- dentally, should always be accompanied by a substantial promotion and publicity campaign.
An anticipated departure from sponsored time periods should be discussed with the client immediately. If the client cannot be sold on moving, the station must decide whether the change is worth the possibility of jeopardizing the account.
SERVICING THE TELEVISION ACCOUNT 163
RATING FLUCTUATIONS
The salesman who sells by ratings will have to live by rat- ings. If clients are "rating happy," you can be sure their blood pressure will fluctuate in inverse correlation to rating trends. In some markets, television ratings have become the primary yardstick for determining the success or failure of a program. This is regrettable, if not actually deplorable. As in radio, it has been the salesman, not the advertiser, who has encouraged the overuse and abuse of ratings. It is un- derstandable how a salesman can rejoice in informing a client that his show has reached a 31.6 rating. But how happy is the same salesman when the same show drops to a 19.0? Like wage scales to a union leader, ratings are useful as long as they go up. But, unlike wages, ratings don't always go up. They go down. Riding the rating roller coaster isn't profitable to the station or the client. It's profitable only to the aspirin manufacturer.
There is no such thing as a good rating. A 40 may seem great to the sponsor whose show is pulling 15's, but the client who is used to 50 ratings will go into tailspins over a 40. A 10 rating may be satisfying to one sponsor, an abysmal fail- ure to another. Of all the television research companies, not one will state that any given rating is good or bad. Nor will any researcher claim that a rating is any indication of the effectiveness of a program.
If advertisers buy television to sell products or ideas, there is only one measurement of their program's success: does it sell? Ratings don't answer that question. The number of high -rated shows that have flopped on the sales front is legion. One of the best selling shows on television produces ratings between a 9.0 and a 3.01
Stations should subscribe to rating services for their value
164 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
to management in checking the relative popularity of their programming with that of their competitors. But as a matter of policy, ratings should not be used promiscuously by sales-
men to "make clients happy." Exaggerating the importance
of ratings to advertisers will only mislead them. Emphasizing the importance of sales results produced by television is the only intelligent way to measure success.
Despite all this, advertisers in some markets are "rating happy." The day the program -rating pocket piece arrives,
the salesman's telephone rings lustily. "Why is my rating down?" "Why is the competition gaining on us?" "What are
you going to do to boost my rating?" The precincts with the
ascending ratings are not heard from. Only the client with
the problem. (Isn't it interesting to contrast an advertiser's reaction to TV ratings with his reaction to Starch readership surveys of newspaper ads? If the advertiser gets a low Starch
rating, he wonders what he did wrong. It never occurs to
him to blame the newspaper.) When the client insists that something must be done to
boost his rating, one or more of the following actions may be
taken:
1. An increased promotion campaign 2. A plan for greater publicity of the show
3. Addition of new entertainment features on the show
4. Plans for an audience -building contest or stunt on the show
5. Inclusion of guest stars on the show
6. Personal appearances of the star at community events
7. Elimination of features that may have least appeal to
the audience
Very often, these devices will succeed in raising a rating a
few points. However, no amount of promotion, publicity,
SERVICING THE TELEVISION ACCOUNT 165
stars, stunts, giveaways or gimmicks will keep a program's rating climbing forever. For every "fire" the salesman puts out, another will break out at a later date. The best he can hope to do is appease the rating -happy client for the moment. In the meantime, the salesman should be constructively sell- ing that all-important truth to his accounts: Success is meas- ured in dollars, not in decimal points.
PROMOTION, PUBLICITY AND MERCHANDISING SERVICES
One of the unique features of television (and radio) is the medium's contribution toward building audiences for its clients' programs. Other media promote editorial features to build circulation, but they do not promote an audience for the specific location of a client's advertisement. Television and radio accept the responsibility for audience -building for individual advertisers' programs. More than a "plus" for the media, promotion and publicity contribute directly to the client's success.
The television salesman can make capital out of the sta- tion's promotion and publicity efforts on behalf of his client's programs. It is well to present to the new client a report on promotional and publicity plans for his program. From time to time additional reports covering the number of on -the - air promotional announcements, newspaper advertisements, publicity stories, etc., may be given to the client. Including a dollar -value estimate of the promotion adds to its impression value.
Informing the client of these services is one of the more pleasant aspects of servicing an account. In handling accounts, many problems arise that are delicate, irksome and difficult. Free promotion and publicity campaigns act as a leavening influence. They foster client good will and appreciation and help immeasurably to maintain happy client relations.
166 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Although merchandising is a relatively new service of tele- vision stations, it has proved to be a powerful influence in helping the advertiser in his most important task, selling goods. Several stations now provide merchandising services to their clients. Among the most common activities are: dis- tributing merchandising bulletins and letters to dealers, ar- ranging window displays, arranging point -of -purchase display materials in stores, arranging for appearances of station ex- ecutives or talent at sales meetings, providing talent for in- store promotions and arranging for personal calls on dealers, distributors, wholesalers and jobbers.
The value of merchandising is immense to most business- men. The station that provides this service to its accounts has a great opportunity to prove tangibly the point -of -sale impact of television. The consequent rewards are obvious.
The salesman should be the coordinating agent for all services concerning his accounts. And since the salesman is expected to get renewals from his accounts, he should be en- titled to "make character" before his clients by offering pro- motion, publicity and merchandising services and taking the credit for them.
PROBLEMS IN COSTS
Unlike radio, the complex cost structure of television and the necessity for periodic rate increases require a considerable amount of "cost -selling." Of course, television advertisers are protected from cost increases during the terms of their contracts, but the renewal of TV contracts almost always includes some rate adjustments. During the contract period, union wage increases, extra rehearsal requirements, additional expenses of the program and other things may contribute to higher costs.
If the client requests additional services not provided for
SERVICING THE TELEVISION ACCOUNT 167
in the contract, he pays extra for them, of course, but if the station increases the operating cost of a program, the adver- tiser is protected against added charges for the length of his current contract (except union labor increases if so provided in the contract).
Commercials produced by the station are not normally a part of the time and,/or program contracts, but are billed separately. The pricing of commercials is dependent upon the actual cost of production.
Advances in station time rates frequently have to be "sold" to clients. Increased operating costs, depreciation of equip- ment, higher payrolls and added capital expenditures make advanced rates necessary. In the great majority of cases such rate increases are easily justified by the comparative gain in values received by the advertiser. Each week an advertiser is on television, his potential circulation increases. Since his costs are stable during his term of contract, this constant gain in circulation makes his cost per thousand homes decline pro- portionately. More often than not, a new rate card will pro- duce a lower cost per thousand circulation than the preceding rate card did on its effective date. To illustrate, let's take a typical station's base rates over a two-year period and compare the cost per thousand circulation at the time of each rate change; the accompanying table gives the figures.
Advertisers are familiar with the policy of all media to ad -
Comparison of TV Station's Base Rates and Circulation Costs
Gross Cost per Class A No. of 1000
Rate card, Hour TV sets in potential Decrease, effective date Rate area circulation afo
No. 3, May 1, 1952 $400 200,000 $2.00 No. 4, Feb. 1, 1953 $500 300,000 $1.67 16.5 No. 5, June I, 1954 $600 400,000 $1.50 10
168 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
vance rates when circulation increases. In most cases, though,
such cost advances do not reflect a lower cost per thousand
circulation. In television, usually, it does. When it does, the
salesman should inform his clients that the cost for reaching
each TV home has actually decreased since the last rate card
was issued. As a rule, television's value increases much more
rapidly than its costs.
Some advertisers assert that they are being priced out of
the market. There is no reason for any advertiser to quit tele-
vision because of cost increases. No salesman should let busi-
ness slip through his fingers by accepting the client's statement
that "TV has gotten too rich for my blood." Certainly, it
may be true that the particular schedule a client has been
using may become too expensive for him to continue. But
he doesn't have to stick to that particular schedule. A reduced
schedule, more in keeping with his budget, may actually
produce greater circulation than he was getting when he
originally bought television. If the client originally spent,
say, $500 per week when TV circulation was one-third its
current figure, the same $500 today, though buying less time,
may actually reach more people. When station rates were
relatively cheap, advertisers could afford big schedules. But
as rates advance, television circulation expands even more, so
that the same amount of time may deliver two, three, four
times more homes. If the advertiser cannot afford to buy four
times as many homes, he can always buy fewer homes and
spend less money. An advertiser should spend what he can
afford. As in any medium, he receives value in proportion to
the amount spent. It is theoretically possible for an advertiser to spend the
same amount of money in television year after year in spite
of increasing rates. He will reach more television homes each
year with the same expenditure if the station's cost per
SERVICING THE TELEVISION ACCOUNT 169
thousand circulation is declining. The fact that the same budget buys less time is incidental. An advertiser buys circu- lation, not time. (Which is more valuable, a full hour in Lost Gulch, Manitoba, or 20 seconds in Chicago?)
An advertiser wouldn't drop newspapers because news- papers are "expensive." But the cost of a full -page ad six days a week is expensive. On the other hand, a 60 -line ad twice a week is cheap. The advertiser decides how much he can spend in the medium and doesn't blame the newspaper if daily full pages are beyond his budget. If he could afford full pages, he would get considerably more value than he would from small - space advertising. But small ads are productive too. The cost of any medium is determined by how much space or how much time is bought. Any medium is expensive if the adver- tiser pulls out all the stops. Any medium is inexpensive if it is used on a less spectacular, more modest, yet productive, basis.
So, if clients chafe at "the high cost of television," they should be reminded that they can always spend less money and still do a gratifying sales job. Reducing schedules because of budgetary limitations is intelligent. Completely dropping television is short-sighted and may even be damaging to the client's business. This concept will be as profitable to the client in the long run as it is to the salesman.
CHAPTER 15
The Advertising Agency and the Salesman
One segment of the advertising industry that deserves
much credit for developing the commercial acceptance of
radio and television is the advertising agency. Early in broad-
casting history, it was the agency, not the advertiser, that foresaw the great possibilities of radio as an advertising medium. The smoke from World War II had hardly cleared when the nation's leading advertising agencies were actively
engaged in planning for their clients' use of television (even
though only 5,000 receivers were in existence). The vision of
agency men has won thousands of advertisers to the broadcast media. To a large degree, some of the best "salesmen" radio and television have had are the men and women in advertis-
ing agencies. At the risk of seeming elementary, the basic functions of
the advertising agency as applied to broadcasting should
be noted. The typical agency: (1) analyzes the value of the
available media, (2) recommends media in accordance with
the advertisers' sales objectives, (3) recommends specific sta-
tions, programs and time periods to clients after analysis of
availabilities, (4) develops and contracts, on behalf of its
clients, for time and programs on stations, (5) plans, writes
170
THE ADVERTISING AGENCY AND THE SALESMAN 171
and produces commercials for clients, (6) works closely with stations in handling details of program as it concerns the agency's accounts, (7) acts as agent for clients in resolving problems on commercials, talent, production, promotion, etc., with the station, (8) handles the billing, accounting and pay- ments on behalf of clients, (9) negotiates renewals, time shifts, program changes, rebates, etc., with stations.
For this work (and a thousand other details) an advertising agency receives a commission of 15 percent of the station's gross bill to his client. Actually, the agency's services cost the client nothing, for if the client bought his advertising directly from the station, the cost would be the same. Station rates, in other words, are the same whether the contract is signed with an agency or directly with the client.
It is obvious that the agency performs vastly important serv- ices for the advertiser, and yet those services do not add to the cost of his advertising at all. (Some agencies do operate on a "fee" basis, but the majority adhere to the 15 percent com- mission policy.) A controversial subject is who actually pays the advertising agency's commission. Clients, of course, feel that they pay their advertising agency the commission. Sta- tions, on the other hand, bill advertisers for one sum and receive 85 percent of that sum, so there's something to be said for the theory that the station pays the agency commission. (If there were no agencies, theoretically stations could reduce their rates to advertisers by 15 percent. But on the other hand, replacing the agency services might cost the advertiser more than the agency commission. It is quite likely that stations would not receive as much business either.) The fact is that advertising agencies are indispensable both to the advertiser and to the station.
Radio and television salesmen, of course, call on advertiser and advertising agency alike. The degree to which the sales-
172 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
man concentrates on one or the other depends upon the peculiarities of the individual account. Some accounts, especially the smaller ones, have no agency. Other advertisers, particularly the larger ones, prefer that media negotiations be conducted entirely with their agencies. The actual influence of the agency on buying decisions is mainly deter- mined by the account. If the client gives the agency full authority for decisions, obviously the salesman should con- centrate his efforts on the agency. If the client makes his own decisions, regardless of agency recommendations, the sales- man must sell the client directly, as well as the agency. In the process of calling on clients and agencies, a perceptive sales- man will soon learn who makes the decision.
In those cases where the agency has the unquestionable authority to accept or reject a station's proposal, the salesman should "sell" the agency just as he would the account. Assum- ing that the agency is competent, it will be thoroughly versed in a client's sales and merchandising problems and its adver- tising objectives. Such agencies should be addressed as if they were the client. The salesman should assume that anything presented that will appeal to the client will also appeal to the client's agent.
Some agencies, unfortunately, are not as close to their client's problems as they should be. To a few agencies, a Pulse rating is more important than a client's sales chart. Zealously attempting to prove their prowess as buyers of advertising, these agencies often fail to prove their ability to sell the client's merchandise. Their most typical characteristic: a phobia of losing accounts. When it becomes apparent to a salesman that an agency is not properly judging the sales values of his station, the time has come for the salesman to shift his attention to the client. Clients advertise to sell. If
THE ADVERTISING AGENCY AND THE SALESMAN 173
an agency does not share this concept, the client must be contacted directly.
There are as many agency attitudes on media salesmen calling on their clients as there are agencies. In working with the agency, station salesmen must analyze the agency attitude and behave accordingly. Many agencies, probably the majority, encourage salesmen to call on their accounts directly. They feel that each medium should be entitled to make a full presentation to their clients. There is a sense of partner- ship existing between the agency and the station in their mutual desire to win a client to radio or television. Needless to say, working with the personnel of such agencies is pleasant and fruitful.
At the opposite extreme are the agencies that jealously guard their accounts from the "ravages" of salesmen. They virtually forbid salesmen to call directly on their accounts. If agencies in this category produce the orders, well and good. But if they don't, the station salesman should attempt to per- suade them that calling on the clients will be mutually advantageous. If an agency remains adamant and refuses to endorse client calls, there's only one thing to do: Call on the client without the agency's approval. This does not promote agency -station relations, but if the agency isn't producing results, the station must, in its own interest, go after the business directly.
In general, agencies and stations work fairly closely in developing advertising programs for clients. They recognize that selling a client results in revenue for both. There is
every reason for the agency account man and the station sales-
man to work together harmoniously. Both usually strive for this relationship and, happily, most achieve it.
Among the most convincing types of presentations are those made jointly to the client by the agency and the station. The
174 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
atmosphere is perfect for a sale. The advertiser's agent is in accord with the station's recommendation and appears per- sonally to endorse it. The agency's pitch is given more authenticity by the presence of the station salesman to verify all the station commitments. A "united front" is testimony to the fact that the proposal is worthy of the client's serious consideration. As often as possible, the salesman should en- courage joint agency -station presentations. In addition to the achievement of sales results, a more harmonious relationship with both the agency and the client will emerge.
Occasionally, the salesman may have an opportunity to call on the advertiser and agency together. As in any effective sales call, the salesman's presentation should be primarily concerned with how the advertiser can best achieve sales results. It is well for the salesman to be armed with all neces- sary research data about his proposal, since the agency will be more inclined to request statistical information than the client. Follow-up calls to such advertiser -agency calls are essential. If either party offers resistance to the proposal, further selling of the individual is necessary. Objections raised about the salesman's recommendations in such joint meetings may influence others, so it is imperative that convincing evi- dence counteracting the criticisms be presented to both agency and client in follow-up calls.
Almost without exception an advertising agency expects to be informed when direct calls are made on their clients. Mis- "
understandings can be avoided and agencies can be spared embarrassment if the station salesman always notifies the agency in advance of a call on one of its clients. This may seem unimportant at times; but plenty of salesmen have re- gretted failing to keep their agencies apprised.
Although the preparation of commercials is the responsi- bility of the agency, salesmen should not overlook the good
THE ADVERTISING AGENCY AND THE SALESMAN 175
will that can be gained by offering the agency station assist- ance in producing commercials. The station can be particu- larly helpful in styling the commercials for the personality who will deliver them. The agency should be offered the counsel of the station's production experts and the physical facilities of the station for producing, filming or recording the commercials. If the agency is not fully equipped to pro- duce radio or television commercials, the station's staff should be available for assistance.
During an account's tenure on the station, a great deal of personal attention must be given to handling the details of servicing. Chapters 7 and 14 cover several facets of account servicing, most of which are equally applicable to servicing the advertising agency. Since many accounts rely upon their agency to handle all the details of their broadcast advertising, the major portion of the salesman's "servicing" in such cases will be with the agency. In no case should a salesman report new developments on the program, offer new time segments, report audience trends, etc., to the client without also covering the agency. Servicing the account requires agency and station teamwork, with both acting in the best interest of the client.
To repeat this chapter's opening statement, the advertising agency has produced some of the best "salesmen" in radio and television. The development of advertising agency executives as members of the radio -TV "team" is one of the most chal- lenging assignments of station salesmen. When the agency man is sold on a station, the station sales department has a
new "arm," not for just one account, but for several accounts served by the agency. The advertising agency, like the radio and television station, depends on advertising in order to stay in business.
CHAPTER 16
The Salesman and the Community
In describing the abilities of a certain network television salesman, an executive once remarked, "He's a fine salesman. He knows the president of Acme Manufacturing Company, and he has a four handicap in golf!" If, indeed, these are the criteria, a salesman should certainly spend more time at the country club than on the street. This comment serves to introduce the importance of a salesman's personal relation- ship with the world. It is entirely possible to be a walking almanac of statistics, information, station policies and pro- cedures, rates and all the rest and still make a magnificent flop as a salesman. Any salesman can get by without knowl- edge and information, but few can succeed without that quality that seems synonymous with salesmen-personality. The amount of space in this book devoted to sales procedures and information compared to the few words in this chapter on the personal aspects of selling is no indication of the relative importance of the two. But although a book can impart things of specific value on how to sell radio and TV, it can't teach personality.
The modern salesman knows how to handle people, as well as how to handle research and marketing problems. He has contacts with important accounts, but he also has contact with
176
THE SALESMAN AND THE COMMUNITY 177
the multitude of facts that are required for intelligent selling. The salesman who is so prepossessed with facts that he forgets the personal aspects of selling won't get very far. The "per- sonality kid" who doesn't know the tools of his trade won't either.
Happily, the days of "Diamond Jim Brady" salesmanship are past. The hail -fellow -well -met whose standard equip- ment was the martini glass and the glibly told joke is fading from the scene. Salesmen today are appraised by what they say, not how rapidly or how cleverly they say it. In brief, substance has replaced veneer.
"Acting like a salesman" is pretty naive in modern business circles. Yet some salesman still try to "play the part." How can a prospect trust a salesman whose very personality is Machiavellian? People like people-warm, genuine, friendly, sincere, honest people.
What is the best sales personality? Your personality. Don't be what you think a salesman should be; be yourself. That's all. There is no pattern of sales personality. The top salesmen in broadcasting are totally unalike. They have but one thing in common. They are true to their own God-given per- sonalities.
It took a host of prophets and saints more than 1,500 years to write a Book on how to get along with people. We won't try to expand on their efforts here. Personal salesmanship is really just good human relations. To paraphrase a quotation from that Book, if the salesman treats other people with the same courtesy and understanding he expects from them, all will be well.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY
Good citizenship as well as good salesmanship embodies par- ticipation in community activities. Obviously the more active
178 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
a salesman is in community affairs and civic clubs, the wider his circle of acquaintances.
Talented salesmen often become well known in their communities by using their special talents in various organiza- tions. The sales manager of one 50,000 -watt radio station is choir director in his church; a television salesman in the Mid- west serves as a city councilman; a well-known TV vice presi- dent plays tournament golf; a radio salesman in Virginia is a popular after -dinner speaker; a television salesman in New York lectures at a local university. There is no point in con- cealing talents that can contribute to personal and business prestige.
Salesmen may be called upon for leadership in church and school affairs. They may be asked to head drives and other community projects. All of these activities offer excellent op- portunities to make a tangible contribution to the community. In so far as possible they should be welcomed. Time and effort invested in such worth -while projects can reap untold benefits in public recognition and respect.
This is hardly a book on morals, but it may be well to mention in passing that a salesman's prestige, and hence his earning power, can be materially reduced by unintelligent behavior. Personal habits reflect the character of the in- dividual. The salesman's personal conduct establishes to a large degree his position in the community.
A final word on the salesman's relationship with his com- munity: loyalty. If one is not convinced that his is the best town in the best state in the country, he should move. Most people are by nature loyal to their own community, whether it is large or small, north or south, rich or modest. No one appreciates the fellow who harps on the superiority of a city in which he once lived. The quickest way to become an ac-
THE SALESMAN AND THE COMMUNITY 179
cepted member of a new community is to become a "booster" for it. Loyalty to one's city, neighbors and employer will be reciprocated. And when friends and associates are loyal, one becomes convinced that his is the best town in the best state in the country.
CHAPTER 17
Radio -Television Sales Management
No executive on the station staff has a greater responsibility than the sales -head. His is the task to provide the revenue for
a station that makes all other operations possible and literally keeps the station in business. Fortunately, most radio and television stations of America are blessed with good, com-
petent sales management. There is no "typical" sales manager, and there are no pat
rules of good sales management. Each sales manager, in his
own way, has established a formula for successful results,
based on his individual knowledge of the market, the medium, the advertisers and his own personal experience and abilities. The author, therefore, will not attempt to cast a mold for
the "perfect" sales manager. The sales manager's success is
measured simply by the results he produces: financial results,
administrative results and prestige results. This and the chapter to follow will outline some of the responsibilities of
sales direction, not to "advise" the reader, but more as a
possible stimulant for new ideas.
SELECTING SALESMEN
One of the most important criteria for operating an
efficient sales organization is the selection of competent sales-
men. It isn't easy to spot a good salesman and, frequently, 180
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a1n1n3 1o3 aigEnlEA aq kEui 1E41 TIED salts E 30 pzoaaz 1uauEUl
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saaodaa aliaM 01 2UIIIas i(snq 001 aq ÄIlEnlaE IItM uaursalEs amos aoI
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A.L QAIV OIQV2I 9NI.LONiO2Id QAiV 9NIIT'ias 961
1111:430-1. tee HO NBC SALESMAN'S REPORT
Salesman Date of Call
Company
Product
Street Address
City and State Individual
Contacted His title
Advertising Agency
Street Address
City
State Agency Executive
Contacted His title
REMARKS
Copy sent to other salesman ( 1 (Signed)
(Courtesy of NBC, Nein York)
Fig. 14. A Sales Report Form
197
198 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
THE SALES MANAGER AS A SALESMAN
The sales manager is the number one salesman on the sta-
tion. The proportion of time he spends making calls, how-
ever, must be limited. The sales manager who sacrifices the direction of his sales force for active personal selling reduces the efficacy of his sales staff. Calls made by the sales manager must be only of the most important nature. Ordinarily, they
should be made in the company of the salesman handling the account. Under no circumstances should a sales manager call on an account without the knowledge of the assigned
salesman. Occasionally, the sales manager may assign himself a few
accounts in order to relieve the burden of his sales force.
In smaller stations, in fact, the sales manager may be as active as any one of the salesmen, for with fewer salesmen to direct and fewer administrative details, he can devote more time to making calls. The size of the sales force determines largely
the amount of time the sales manager can devote to active
selling. There is, obviously, little reason for the manager of a two -man sales staff to sit at his desk all the time. Good judg- ment will determine the extent to which the sales manager engages in selling.
"BACKING" THE SALESMEN
A salesman's personal prestige is influenced to a great degree by his sales manager. If the sales manager entrusts his sales-
men with full responsibilities for their assigned accounts,
giving them sufficient "backing" when problems arise, his staff
will develop self-confidence and self-reliance. Salesmen should be given the authority to act on their own judgment as far
as possible. If the salesman has to check every detail with the sales manager, it is difficult to win confidence from his ac-
DIRECTING THE SALES STAFF 199
counts. Competent salesmen deserve the confidence of their sales managers. Even when they make mistakes, they should be "backed up" by the sales manager. Mutual trust and un- derstanding between salesmen and their boss promotes a high esprit de corps. This can be achieved by giving salesmen ample opportunity to show their best and then by support- ing them when things go wrong.
This chapter has touched upon only a few of the basic problems of directing a sales staff. To do a comprehensive job on this subject is beyond the scope of this book. How- ever, good sales direction is mostly an individual matter. The sales manager's personal experience, the competitive situation in the market, the capabilities of the salesmen, the prestige and position of the station and a dozen other things contribute to the manner in which a sales staff is managed.
CHAPTER 19
Sales Administration
In addition to directing the sales activities of the station, the sales manager is a key administrator. Very often he is the number two or number three executive in the station, and his influence on station policy is substantial. In his role as a station executive, the sales manager is concerned with opera- tions other than sales, particularly in the realms of program- ming, finance and planning.
One of the responsibilities of the sales executive is that of adviser to the station manager. He should keep the general manager informed of sales progress, station income, market trends and competitive situations as they develop. He should advise the management of sales expectancy and offer sugges-
tions for improving the financial position of the station. The station manager rightly looks to the sales manager for counsel on improving the profits of the station, not only through in-
creasing income but through more careful cost control and improved efficiency of operations. As a member of the sta-
tion's executive staff, the sales manager may have surveillance over the expenditures of all departments, and his advice on the relationship of those expenditures to the anticipated in- come of the station may carry considerable weight. Because of his influence on the operations of other departments, the
200
SALES ADMINISTRATION 201
sales manager must be acquainted with their activities. Ig- norance of the role that a division plays in the station's opera- tions may prejudice judgment of its importance. The sales manager who is best acquainted with all departmental func- tions will be the most capable of knowledgeable administra- tion.
Together with the heads of programming, finance and engineering, the station sales manager guides the destiny of the station. Each member of this team must have not only a
grasp of present-day problems, but vision for the future. The greatest radio and television stations in the country got that way because they were (and are) operated by men of vision. Every member of management should engage himself in realistic prognostications of future directions. What is the an- ticipated sales picture a year from now? What may be the effects of increased competition? What appears to be the future economic trend for the market? How will growth of the market affect the station's income? What are the best estimates of the effect of expanded facilities, new program- ming, color television? These are only a few of the questions that a farsighted sales executive must constantly ask himself. Long-range planning conditions the station for seizing new opportunities in the future.
Many sales managers are so involved in the crises of the moment that they have little time to think about the future. At least one sales executive has worked out a solution. He dedicates one hour at home each week to taking an inventory of the truly significant things his station has accomplished during the past week and to planning specific projects he would like to get started during the next few months. He has found that the same projects frequently pop up every week until he finally takes action on them just to convert them from "dreams" into reality. This single hour of concentrated
202 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
thinking about the recent past and the immediate future, he says, gives him a greater perspective for operating his de-
partment. Incidentally, he heads a tremendously successful
outfit, too.
THE SALES MANAGER'S INFLUENCE ON PROGRAMMING
The age-old battle between sales and programming heads may still exist in some quarters, but calm has descended on most fronts. "Interference" of the sales manager in program- ming used to be about as welcome as the program manager's independently making calls upon advertisers. The two execu-
tives, though, are totally interdependent upon each other. Both have identical objectives ... top programming and high sales volume.
The sales manager should have an influence on program- ming. And the program manager should have an influence on sales. That doesn't mean that either should dominate the other's operation. But a program that has poor sales possibili-
ties may certainly be questioned by the sales manager. If the program director's faith in the show outweighs its apparent lack of sales appeal, it is his prerogative to continue it. And as long as it is available, it is the sales manager's job to try to
sell it. Usually, however, program directors are very sensitive to sales acceptance of their presentations and will willingly withdraw a show that has neither public nor advertiser ap-
peal. Reduced to its simplest terms, if the program director is
successful in attracting large audiences, the sales manager will be successful in selling those audiences to advertisers. How- ever, in the wide area of "moderate acceptance" by both public and advertisers, no one can be certain whether a show
has a future or not. In such instances, full discussion between the heads of programming and sales should determine the program's ultimate fate.
SALES ADMINISTRATION 203
Sales managers and salesmen occasionally have ideas for "salable" programs. The program director should encourage new program ideas from the sales department. A salesman will knock himself out to sell a show that he originated. "The play's the thing," though, of course, and the p. d.'s judgment on the worthiness of the idea as a program must not be prejudiced by personal considerations.
In the field of transcribed radio programs or syndicated - film television shows, sales and promotion managers must work together closely. One should not move on selling or scheduling syndicated shows without the agreement of the other. Many excellent properties are available from the tran- scription and syndicated TV film companies. Many have track records, impressive both in audience appeal and in advertiser acceptance. As such they are desirable from both a program and a sales point of view. The program director must appraise each one for its program acceptability and its compatibility with the station's program structure. The sales head, on the other hand, must analyze the sales potential of each show under consideration as it applies to his specific market. It is, again, a matter of teamwork.
A constant interchange of information between program and sales executives will promote the close coordination neces- sary for a smooth -working organization. Friction between the two only serves the interests of competing stations.
THE SALES MANAGER AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS
As mentioned earlier, the sales manager's influence extends directly or indirectly to practically every station department. This is particularly true of the advertising and promotion, publicity, research and continuity departments. Indeed, some of these activities may report directly to the sales manager.
Later chapters will discuss in detail the role of the adver-
204 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
tising and promotion department in the station's over-all structure. Because of the close relationship of promotion to
sales, the sales manager should have an intimate knowledge of promotional activities. This is true regardless of whether promotion is directly under his jurisdiction. If the promotion department reports to the sales manager, its scope of opera- tions should not be narrowed by the sales manager's under- standable zeal for total concentration on sales. Some responsi- bilities of the promotion department may have an indirect or even vague relationship to immediate sales problems, yet
they are important to the station's interest; for example: institutional advertising, on -the -air promotion of charity drives, newspaper advertising of public service shows, presen- tations for public service awards, promotional tie-ups with educational, fraternal or civic groups. A promotion depart- ment should not be restricted in its role of building station prestige in its community. Of course, the majority effort
always will be devoted to sales promotion and audience -build-
ing activities, but institutional promotion serves a purpose that should not be neglected.
The publicity manager and the sales manager work closely
together in publicizing and exploiting the station's talent and programs. The sales manager advises the publicity man of
the client's position and policies on publicity, and calls on
him to assist in arousing public interest for sponsored shows.
It is through the sales manager's direction that priorities for
publicity efforts may be established. Normally, the station
publicist will coordinate with the station manager and with all the department heads and talent to obtain material for
press releases. It is especially important for the sales manager
to keep the publicity head informed on all important news
of the sales department, such as the acquisition of new busi-
SALES ADMINISTRATION 205
ness, the starting dates of new sponsored programs, new sales plans and changes in sales personnel.
The research operation, though integrated into the pro- motion department in most stations, is occasionally a separate entity. The sales manager depends upon the responsible re- search man for all information on coverage, ratings, audience trends, rate comparisons., industry surveys, market statistics, set circulation, etc. The research man analyzes all new research materials and interprets their adaptability to the sales opera- tion. The sales manager relies upon the research unit to supply the sales staff with the statistical data required for their individual sales presentations. For the most part, re- search is an arm of sales, and very close liaison must exist between the two departments.
The commercial production unit or continuity depart- ment is, of course, a service to advertisers and as such is largely under the administration of the sales manager. The preparation of commercials for clients requires the coordi- nated efforts of the salesman, the continuity writer and the client.
CONFLICTING INTERESTS BETWEEN CLIENT AND STATION
A problem frequently confronting the sales manager is the conflict between the interests of clients and the interests of the station. Some salesmen, in their anxiety to please their accounts, are apt to "take the client's part" in opposition to the best interests of the station. Each situation, of course, has to be decided according to its relative merits. Sometimes a client may have a legitimate reason for seeking a concession that is in apparent violation of station policy. On the other hand, it must be remembered that the station's interests come first, and any concession to a client that may prove damaging to the station must be avoided.
206 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
For instance, take the client who requests a reduced pro-
gram rate. He logically submits that his program is not producing the audience that was anticipated, and, further- more, his budget cannot continue to accommodate the full cost. In effect, he serves notice that unless the station can absorb part of his program cost, he will have to cancel the show. Before the sales manager makes his decision, it is neces-
sary to consider: (1) Can the station afford to lose the client? (2) Can the station afford to carry the program sustaining if
the advertiser cancels? (3) Is the client justified in claiming that the show produced less than was expected? (4) Did the station make a commitment on what the show would deliver?
(5) Is it fair to other clients to lower this advertiser's costs?
(6) Will the station have to extend a proportionately lower
rate to other accounts? (7) Will the station profit or lose in the long run by acquiescing to the client's demand? (8) Will the station's prestige be harmed by acceding to the client's request?
All these and perhaps other considerations must be
weighed before reaching the decision. Every client request for
cost adjustment must be judged in the light of its effect on other clients. It is obvious, though, that major emphasis must always be upon the effect of each decision upon the station.
ADMINISTERING THE SALES BUDGET
It is necessary for the sales manager to estimate the amount of revenue anticipated for each month. The normal procedure is to develop an annual sales budget prior to the beginning of
the station's fiscal year. Periodic revisions are then made dur-
ing the year, based upon actual income, business booked and
new business anticipated. The primary considerations for
sales budgeting are the previous performance of the depart-
ment, the monthly revenue from accounts under contract, the
SALES ADMINISTRATION 207
added income anticipated from new accounts, the effect of rate adjustments on revenue, the economic trend in the market, the anticipated income from new programs or new sales plans and the effect of seasonal merchandising efforts by advertisers.
A station's revenue, of course, is derived from three sources: local advertising, national or regional spot advertisers and network advertisers. Each of these major classifications of business should be separately budgeted and maintained sepa- rately on the accountant's books.
The first step in budgeting is accounting for all current business up to the expiration of each contract. Those ac- counts that may be expected to renew are budgeted accord- ingly. If renewals are not anticipated, the prospects of selling the lapsed services to other advertisers are taken into con- sideration. All current local, spot and network accounts thus form the initial core of the budget. Their totals represent the "minimum anticipation" for the period covered.
Estimates may then be made for prospective revenue based upon the availability of programs and announcements. If a station, for example, is currently 70 percent sold out on one - minute announcements, an estimate should be made of the amount of the remaining 30 percent that reasonably might be sold. If there is a weekly total of ten unsold hours, the possibility of selling part of this time, either through par- ticipations or programs, is evaluated.
Naturally, the revenue anticipated from new business re- quires a certain amount of guesswork. The sales manager must appraise the potential of each program and each com- mercial service in order to reach a realistic estimate. A careful analysis of each individual service-programs, participations and station breaks-will produce the most accurate estimates.
Some stations maintain, in addition to the sales budget, a
208 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
"sales quota" for each month. There is a distinction between the two. A sales budget is what the station expects. A sales
quota is what it hopes for. Sales quotas, accordingly, are higher than sales budgets. The purpose of sales quotas is to give the sales department a goal to shoot for. As such, they are admittedly psychological devices for encouraging more sales. Salesmen may become self-satisfied too soon if the ac-
complishment of the sales budget is their only goal. Sales
quotas provide added incentive for gaining more new busi-
ness, provided there is some kind of reward for attaining the quota.
In setting sales quotas, the sales manager would do well to
exercise particular care. If the quota is set too low, its very
purpose is partially defeated. A low quota may be reached too
easily by the department. On the other hand, quotas that are impossibly high tend to discourage the sales staff and to heap
abuse on the "unrealistic" sales manager. A good middle ground, low enough to be within reach, high enough to be
challenging, is the most realistic base for setting sales quotas.
SALES DEPARTMENT EXPENSES
After budgeting for income, the sales manager compiles
the estimates for departmental expenses. Current monthly ex-
penses are analyzed for possible reductions or necessary in-
creases. Salaries are budgeted according to the anticipated individual increases for each month. Entertainment and travel
expenses are predicated upon the sales manager's plans for
special trips, luncheon presentations, client parties, etc., in
addition to the routine monthly allocation for salesmen's
expense accounts. Stationery, postage, office supplies, capital
expenditures, etc., are, of course, based upon past experience
for the period budgeted.
SALES ADMINISTRATION 209
Here is a check list of sales department expenses for the sales department of a typical station:
1. Salaries (a) Sales manager (b) Salesmen (c) Secretaries (d) Clerical personnel
2. Commissions (a) Sales manager (b) Salesmen
3. Bonuses, Incentive Compensation, Prizes (a) Sales manager (b) Salesmen
4. Overtime pay-secretaries and clerical personnel 5. Dinner money-secretaries and clerical personnel 6. Entertainment
(a) Sales manager (b) Salesmen (c) Special presentations, luncheons, cocktail parties,
etc.
7. Travel (a) Regular travel expenses-public transportation and
auto allotment (b) Special trips (i.e., to New York, Chicago, conven-
tions, etc.)
8. Office supplies-stationery, contract forms, pencils, en- velopes, stencils, etc.
9. Capital expenditures-new office furniture, filing cab- inets, typewriters, air conditioners, bookcases, brief cases, etc.
10. Postage and express charges
210 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
If other departments report to the sales manager, the heads of these departments prepare their respective budgets and submit them to the sales manager for approval. Adjustments are then worked out between the sales manager and the re-
spective department head. Knowledge of the activities of each
department will be especially fruitful to the sales manager in appraising their budgets. It is difficult to know whether a
budget is realistic or not if the administrative head is not familiar with the operations of the department submitting it.
All expenses can be classified into two groups: "fixed" and "controllable" expenses. Fixed expenses are, as the term implies, items that cannot easily be dispensed with. These include salaries, office supplies, postage, rent, heating, elec-
tricity, telephone, depreciation of equipment, social security, janitorial service, etc. "Controllable" expenses cover travel, entertainment, promotion, advertising, research, merchandis- ing materials, publicity expenses, etc. When it is necessary
to reduce budgets, the controllable expenses are easier to tap,
of course, than fixed expenses. Controllable expenses are thus more sensitive to the fluctuations of the station income.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE SALES BUDGET TO OTHER BUDGETS
Budgets of all station departments are dependent upon the sales department's revenue budget. This makes it even more necessary that the sales manager's revenue budget be as
accurate as possible. The program department relies upon sales anticipation for establishing its budget. If the program department is prevented from developing improved program- ming due to a pessimistic sales budget, both departments will
suffer. The entire economy of all the departments is tied to
the performance of the sales department. The enormous re-
sponsibility of realistic sales budgets becomes even more evident.
SALES ADMINISTRATION 211
BUDGET REVISION
Periodically, the sales budget is revised in accordance with the station's actual income. Each new order, each cancella- tion, preemption and renewal has an immediate effect upon the revenue picture. In order to keep a close accounting of these daily changes, the sales department's budget supervisor should make constant revisions. The sales manager may thus be advised of the status of actual income compared to budg- eted income for any given period. In accordance with station policy, the sales manager makes periodic budget revisions based upon actual sales performance.
The budget supervisor, comptroller, accountant, business manager or whoever is responsible for maintaining records of income must constantly keep the sales manager abreast of the financial status of the station.
The sales manager is the key executive of the station in so far as budgeting is concerned. Since his estimates of sales form the basis for all station expenditures, the sales manager's budget must be prepared with the greatest possible care. And once the budget is on paper, the larger responsibility of producing the estimated sales adds considerable spice to the sales manager's life.
CHAPTER 20
The Operation of a Successful Promotion Department
It is no coincidence that the most successful radio and television stations in America also have the finest promotion departments. One of the distinguishing features of stations like WLW, Cincinnati, WHAM, Rochester, WMT, Cedar Rapids, KSL, Salt Lake City, WKY, Oklahoma City, WBT, Charlotte, and WDAY, Fargo, is their outstanding promo- tional operations. The strength of a station's advertising and promotion department influences greatly the station's stand- ing among national and local advertisers, as well as its prestige among its listeners or viewers. The promotion department is the "voice" of the station.
An advertising and promotion department has three basic objectives: (1) to promote increased sales, (2) to promote in-
creased audiences, (3) to promote station prestige. The methods of accomplishing these over-all objectives are the subjects for discussion in the next five chapters.
THE PROMOTION MAN
The successful promotion man is highly versatile. He is a
salesman, a writer, a planner, a research man, a promoter, an inventor, an administrator. Ideally, he has had active experi- ence as a salesman. If not, he must have a perceptive "sales
212
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 213
philosophy"-the ability to understand a sales problem, analyze it and develop an intelligent approach to it. His brainwork is an essential asset contributing to the success of the sales department. The promotion man thinks as a sales- man and provides the salesmen with "ammunition" to meet their individual sales problems.
Unlike the average salesman, the promotion man must be a competent writer. The ability to transfer ideas into clear, forceful prose is a necessary ingredient in his make-up. The promotion man must be as fluent of pen as the salesman is
fluent of tongue. But even more important than writing is
the imaginative thinking that goes into the writing. The promotion man's knowledge of research must be
complete. He should be intimately acquainted with all the research services, market research and economic studies avail- able to the station. And he must be capable of ferreting out from "raw research" the significant facts that will have a direct bearing on sales. A promotion man stalks every single figure that can assist in building a convincing sales argument. He interprets research statistics for their potential values in selling.
As the station's chief "spokesman" to the public, the pro- motion man should be gifted as an advertising copy writer, a press agent and an exploiter. It is his job to attract larger audiences to the station's programs. In order to fulfill this assignment, he must plan campaigns that will influence thou- sands, if not millions, of prospective listeners or viewers. Normally, the principal media he will use are radio, television and newspaper promotion, but a working knowledge of win- dow displays, car cards, outdoor advertising, movie trailers and other media is desirable. As an exploitation man, he should have a flair for stunts and gimmicks that will build excite- ment for the station and its programs.
214 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
As the station's "drummer" on the national scene, the pro- motion man must have an understanding of the likes and dislikes of national advertisers and agencies. He must possess the ability to produce convincing trade magazine advertise- ments, direct -mail promotion and sales presentations on be- half of his station.
As the station's public relations promoter, the promotion man must be familiar with the key educational, fraternal and civic organizations in the city and know how to influence their opinions.
These are a few of the characteristics of the successful sales promotion man. No one is expert in all of these areas, of course, but all promotion men, especially the promotion manager, should have some capability in each of them.
PROMOTION DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
Depending upon the size of the station and its emphasis on promotion, a promotion department may be staffed with thirty people or one. The lone operator is severely handicapped. He cannot carry out all the functions that a promotion depart- ment should embrace. The average minimum requirement for a moderate -sized radio or television station is a staff of five
people: a manager, a promotion writer, a sales presentation writer, a clerical secretary and a general secretary. Since it is
very difficult for one writer to compose all the announce- ments for on -the -air promotion plus copy for newspaper ads, direct -mail pieces, trade magazine ads and all other media advertising, it is more reasonable for two writers to be as-
signed to the department. Naturally, the more personnel the promotion department employs, the greater will be its output and the more the value accruing to the station (provided the personnel is efficient).
Many small radio and television stations are staffed with
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 215
only one promotion man. While a single operator cannot, of course, produce the volume of promotion possible in a larger department, he should not necessarily be limited in the scope of his activities. It is possible for a competent promotion man to handle audience and sales promotion, advertising and sales presentations. In fact, some enterprising fellows do all this and throw in publicity and merchandising tool Although every phase of these activities cannot be handled thoroughly, a remarkable number can be covered at least adequately.
PROMOTING THE STATION'S DIAL POSITION
Before going into the three major areas of promotion (sales, audience and institutional), let's explore the all -encompass- ing subject of "station promotion." Every activity of the promotion department adds up ultimately to station promo- tion; i.e., whether programs, sales or prestige are promoted, the station as a whole benefits. For purposes of discussion here, however, station promotion refers to the specific efforts to make the station, per se, better known.
In so far as the public is concerned, the station is known by its dial position. The public is not particularly interested in the location of the studios and the transmitter, or even in the network affiliation. But the public is interested in where to set the dial to pick up good programs. It is surpris- ing how slow some segments of the public are in grasping such a simple point. For instance, Advertest Research sur- veyed television viewers in New York City late in 1952 to test their ability to identify the stations on which top -rated stars appeared. Notwithstanding the fact that Milton Berle had been on Channel 4 for four years, 11 percent of the viewers said they saw Berle on Channel 2; and Channel 2's Arthur Godfrey, according to 6 percent of the viewers, came to them on Channel 4. So even the top names in television in the
216 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
nation's most mature TV market were not universally asso-
ciated with the right station. Incidentally, 18 percent of the viewers didn't know where to locate either Berle or Godfrey.
Both radio and television stations, then, must constantly promote their location on the dial. Radio stations are gen- erally known best by their call letters. Many stations have done an admirable job of promoting their call letters. But one might be amazed at how many people in a station area don't know its dial position. It is one thing to promote call letters, quite another to make listeners conscious of dial posi- tion. In any newspaper ad, one of the most dominant elements is the location of the advertiser, the store's street address, a
post -office box number, a movie theater's location. The "ad- dress" of a radio station, in so far as its "customers" are concerned, is its location on the dial. Except for push-button sets, the station's call letters do not appear on the listener's radio. There is consequently no direct "point -of -sale" re- minder unless the station's dial position is known.
Obviously, all the call -letter promotion and program pro- motion in the world will be worthless if people are not aware of where the station is located on their radio dials. So in promoting a radio station, feature dial position. Always identify the call letters directly with the dial position. Con- nect each program to the dial position where it can be heard. Convince people that the station's dial position is the source of the best entertainment. Use every possible device to indelibly impress the DIAL POSITION on the minds of listeners.
Promotion of dial position is even more necessary in tele- vision. The Advertest survey referred to above found that 93
percent of the New Yorkers interviewed associated programs with channel numbers, but only 7 percent named station call letters. A television viewer does not turn his set to station
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 217
WXXX-TV, he tunes to Channel 5. The channel number is on his dial, the call letters aren't. There are two pronounced reasons for emphasizing the station's channel number: First, a single number is much easier to remember than four or more call letters; and second, the channel number is the most direct method of identifying where a program may be seen.
All this is not to say that call letters should be abandoned in promotion. But the dial position should be the most prominently featured element. Literally, a promotion depart- ment should work every angle in the book to gain universal recognition of its station's dial position or channel number. The more firmly imbedded a dial position becomes in the public mind, the more people will form the habit of tuning to the station. Many people turn to the best-known dial posi- tion before beginning to scout the rest of the dial.
PROMOTING THE STATION'S PERSONALITY
For general, over-all promotion of the station to adver- tisers, emphasis should be placed on the major advantages available to its sponsors. It is a good idea, for example, for a station to develop a memorable slogan or trade -mark identi- fying its distinctive quality. Some of the best are WLW's "Merchandisable Area," WGY's "Seventeenth State," WJW's "Chief Station," the Fetzer stations' "You can't reach Western Michigan without WKZO-WJEF," KMBC's "Heart of Amer- ica." Such slogans are effective particularly in promoting a station to national accounts.
Every station has a "personality." It may be a modern music and news operation, a high -prestige broadcasting pioneer or an aggressive "sales" station. It may be conserva- tive or brassy, dignified or precocious, restrained or sensa- tional. It may be known for high-powered promotion or
218 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
merchandising or public service or symphonic music. It may be a farm station, an all-night "pop" station, a housewives' favorite or a sports station.
In the hands of an imaginative promotion manager, the "personality" of a station can be widely exploited. Particu- larly in radio, which has become a personal, selective -audi- ence medium, a station can benefit immensely by unlimited promotion of its selective programming. Station management, of course, determines whether the station is to specialize in one area of programming. Some stations avoid specialization, others thrive on it. Any station, regardless of specialization, though, can profit by some sort of promotional "hook." The station that has no slogan, theme or trade -mark should de- velop one.
PROMOTING PROGRAMS TO THE PUBLIC
The program department puts a show on the air. The sales department signs the sponsor. The promotion department delivers the audience. The promotion manager develops ad- vertising and promotion campaigns for each new program before its première. In addition, he constantly promotes other shows on the air. Specific techniques of audience promotion are detailed in Chapter 23. A few points are appropriate here, however, because of their pertinence to the over-all operation of the promotion department.
The strength of program promotion is determined not only by the ability of the promotion personnel and the facili- ties at their command, but also by the amount of information available. The primary source of information, of course, is
the program department. In order to do justice to the pro- motion of a show, the promotion people must be fully informed on the specific features of the show. We are not referring to the regular talent and format of the show or
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 219
other things of a general nature. We are referring to the specific features planned for each individual broadcast. Im- perfect liaison between the promotion and program depart- ments results in vague copy. The prospective viewer or listener can be attracted if he is given a reason why he should tune in. A well -organized system of funneling program in- formation to the promotion department should be set up so that copy can be as specific as possible. The more promotable the features of a show are, the greater are its chances of win- ning an audience. Program directors and producers should keep the promotion values of each feature in mind and see to it that the promotion manager is advised in time to inform the public.
The most effective promotional medium for radio is .. .
radio. The most effective promotional medium for television is . . . television. The use of the station's own facilities should be its primary method of building audiences. Radio and television promotional announcements are flexible, timely and appropriate. Radio and TV plugs eliminate waste circulation (the entire audience reached has the facility to hear or see the program promoted). Most important of all, radio and television will deliver a greater impact on the audiences than any other medium available.
Since there is little or no capital expense connected with on -the -air promotion, clients and talent sometimes tend to discount its importance. Objections to on -the -air promotion are invariably accompanied by requests for advertising the program in newspapers. Here are some of the complaints that clients or talent may make about on -the -air promotion:
1. "On -the -air promotion doesn't reach people outside your own station audience." Ans. Over a period of a week the station reaches x
percent (quoting NCS, SAMS or BMB figures) of all
220 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
the people in the market, substantially more than any newspaper. No station has its own exclusive audience. People switch from station to station. A liberal schedule of announcements will reach listeners or viewers of all stations, as well as most newspaper readers.
2. "On -the -air promotion doesn't cost you anything. You should spend money to promote our show."
Ans. If the advertiser bought the air time that the station is donating to promote his show, it would cost him x dollars (according to the rate card). The fact that the advertiser is not paying for the station's time doesn't make it any less valuable.
3. "On -the -air promotion isn't as effective as newspaper advertising."
Ans. The advertiser has bought the station because he believes in the value of broadcasting. Good on -the - air promotion is as effective as good radio and tele- vision commercials. On -the -air promotion has the same advantages over newspaper promotion as broadcasting has over newspapers for product advertising.
4. "You can't reach as many people through on -the -air pro- motion."
Ans. The station reaches a great many more than is
possible through newspapers. (Compare the audience delivered by the promotional announcements at the time they are scheduled with the estimated number of "noters" to a newspaper ad, using Starch estimates for ad readership applied to the circulation of the news-
paper.)
Since on -the -air is the primary medium for promoting pro- grams, it must be "sold" as such to advertisers, agencies, producers and talent alike. If it is not sold, everyone will take
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 221
air promotion for granted and undervalue its importance, with the consequence that newspaper advertising will become the most desired medium.
Of course, newspaper advertising is an effective supple- mentary medium for program promotion. As a part of a sta- tion's show promotion effort, newspapers occupy an important place. As any good advertising manager knows, a combina- tion of media is always superior to relying upon a single medium for the entire job. A combination of radio and/or television promotion plus newspaper promotion (with emphasis on the former) will produce better results than the exclusive use of either. Surveys have proved that some people are influenced most through what they hear, but others are more strongly influenced by what they read. To reach both groups, it is well to use both on -the -air and newspaper promo- tion. Newspaper advertising offers an opportunity to pic- torialize the station's stars, which radio air promotion does not. In newspapers, programs can be sold to some readers who normally do not listen to, or view, the station during the time the programs are broadcast. Incidentally, the radio and television page is one of the best read in the average news- paper, a fact that enhances the value of program advertising on that page. The use of newspapers has proved successful for promoting all sorts of entertainment, motion pictures, concerts, dances and night clubs, as well as radio and tele- vision. As a companion medium to on -the -air promotion, newspaper advertising is probably the most productive. But the primary medium should always be on -the -air. Newspaper promotion will serve to extend the scope of program adver- tising, reaching additional prospective listeners and making additional advertising impressions.
Other advertising media may be employed to gain more circulation and impression -value for a program promotion
222 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
campaign. Transit advertising (car cards, bus cards and taxi posters) is one possibility for added exposure of the promo- tional message. Transit advertising can add another dimen- sion to a campaign, contributing thousands of additional impressions in places where other forms of advertising may not be as effective. The greater the number of impressions and the more varied the media, the more excitement will be created for a station's programs.
Outdoor advertising has value, too, for the same reasons. Twenty -four -sheet billboards and three -sheet posters at pub- lic places such as railroad stations aggregate vast increases in advertising impressions. In combination with other media, outdoor advertising can contribute to more public aware- ness of a station and its programs.
Displays in store windows, lobbies of hotels, etc., offer still more opportunities for program promotion. Well -designed displays featuring stars of the station can be very effective. The impression -value of displays adds increased weight to the over-all audience -building program.
In general, promoting programs, like promoting products, is a combination of good copy plus maximum circulation in the best media. The selection of media, naturally, deter- mines the circulation. The best advice on media: Concentrate in the use of your own facilities (radio or television on -the - air promotion). If possible, add newspaper advertising for the most effective secondary medium. If the budget will stand it, extend the campaign further into window displays, transit and outdoor advertising for additional exposure. A "well-rounded" campaign embraces several media. Maxi- mum impact in a community will be achieved best by repeti- tive impressions "hitting" the public wherever they are.
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 223
SALES PROMOTION
"Sales promotion" is an all-inclusive term embodying sales
presentations, direct -mail selling, sales advertising, interpre- tation of research for sales purposes, program sales informa-
tion, factual sales data and the development of "sales
ammunition." Sales promotion is directed to local advertisers,
national spot advertisers and, to a lesser degree, network
advertisers. The product of the sales promotion department is used primarily by local salesmen and the station's national representative. Sales promotion media include nationally cir-
culated trade magazines and business publications, printed booklets, newspapers, brochures, folders, broadsides, program schedules, easel and slide presentations, mimeographed sheets
and typewritten pages. The two following chapters give a detailed analysis of two
of the most important phases of station sales promotion: writing sales presentations and promoting sales to the na-
tional advertiser. For the moment, let's consider a few points
on promoting local sales.
The most important function of local sales promotion is
providing the sales staff with the "ammunition" necessary to
perform an intelligent sales job. The routine selling mate-
rial used by the salesmen should originate in the promotion
department. The "reasons why" a prospect should buy an
individual proposal may be developed by the sales promotion man through ferreting out the appropriate data.
The station's sales promotion specialists should "live" with
the salesmen to become familiar with their accounts and sales
problems. To enjoy maximum assistance from sales promo-
tion, the local salesman must keep the promotion man in-
formed of his activities on various accounts. The promotion man in turn should keep the salesmen advised of all the
224 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
sales points he develops, the application of recent research to sales problems, information on available programs, etc. If both salesman and sales promotion man exchange ideas freely, an effective selling team will emerge.
Each station salesman should be armed with a set of basic sales materials provided by the promotion department. Here are the minimum requirements for a well-equipped sales staff:
1. Station rate card 2. Program schedule including all program and spot ad-
vertisers 3. Rate cards and program schedules of competing stations 4. Coverage map of station and competitors 5. Audience data (weekly, monthly, daily, and average
program ratings) for the station and its competitors 6. Market data-population, families, retail sales, buying
income, per capita retail sales and buying income for the station coverage area
7. Program -rating book or pocket piece 8. List of programs available for sale, with talent, descrip-
tion of format, time period, adjacencies, competition, audience report, evidences of sales effectiveness, past sponsors, history of program, chief sales advantages and costs
9. A basic station sales presentation: "WXXX as an Ad- vertising Medium"-describing fully the advantages offered to advertisers by the station
10. A collection of station success stories 11. A description of all services offered to sponsors:
commercial writing and production, advertising, pro- motion, merchandising, publicity, etc.
12. A set of station policies and sales policies
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 225
13. A compendium of production and staging facilities and services available (television stations only)
14. A list of all announcements and station breaks avail- able for sale
15. Circulation cost and readership data of local news- papers and other competing media
Once this information has been assembled, it must be kept up to date constantly. Obsolete data are almost as bad as no data at all. It should be arranged in a physical form that the salesmen can refer to easily. A ring binder book is
the least expensive device. Some stations provide salesmen with portfolios or brief cases into which all of their basic material plus specific material pertinent to individual calls may be placed.
A few questions may arise as to how the basic sales mate- rials are developed or produced. Here are some suggestions:
1. Competing Station Rate Cards. If they will not be supplied by the stations, the information may be ob- tained by consulting Standard Rate and Data Service- Radio Station Edition or Television Station Edition. If competing stations have separate local rates (which would not be listed in SRDS), try to obtain the rate card from a client or agency, if the competing station will not exchange cards.
2. Competing Station Program Schedules. Offer to ex- change schedules with the other stations. If this doesn't work, elicit the assistance of an agency. Schedules, of course, also are listed in local newspapers.
3. Station Coverage Map. If your station subscribes to NCS or SAMS, quantities of coverage maps, together with county -by -county audience data, are available from the research company. If field -strength measure-
226 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
ments are the basis for coverage claims, employ a drafts- man to prepare a clear, legible drawing of the coverage map, including millivolt -per -meter contour lines. Have it reproduced by photo-offset. Use the same procedure for maps based on mail response.
4. Competing Station Coverage Maps. SAMS subscribers can obtain these from Standard Audit and Measure- ment Services in New York for a small fee. Field - strength and mail maps may be exchanged with competing stations or obtained through a client or agency.
5. Program Rating Books. Each salesman should receive rating books directly from the research firm.
6. Audience Data. Provided as a part of NCS or SAMS services. Television -set ownership obtainable from local distributors and/or dealers or a local association or- ganized for this purpose.
7. Market Data. The most authentic and widely accepted source is the "Survey of Buying Power," published by Sales Management magazine, 386 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, New York. All necessary market data for each county in the United States are published in this book annually. Adding up the figures for each county in the station's coverage area provides the market data sta- tistics.
8. List of Available Programs. Obtained from sales man- ager and program manager. Detailed information sup- plied by program department, talent, research reports, program schedules, etc.
9. Basic Station Sales Presentation. See Chapter 21. 10. Station Success Stories. The best sources are the sales
manager and individual salesmen. Additional stories may be wheedled out of clients. Often a renewal letter
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 227
will include a tribute to the effectiveness of the past campaign. The renewal itself is indicative of client satisfaction.
11. Description of Services. Commercial writing and pro- duction services may be obtained from the program manager, production manager and continuity depart- ment. Promotion, merchandising and publicity services are obtainable from the responsible head of each oper- ation.
12. Policies. See the sales manager. 13. Production and Staging Facilities. Personal investiga-
tion of the operations of the production department will provide the necessary information for this report.
14. Announcement and Station -Break Availabilities. These are provided by the station traffic department.
15. Newspaper and Other Media Circulation, Costs and Other Data. Circulation and rates obtainable directly from the media.
In so far as local sales promotion is concerned, the prepara- tion and maintenance of the basic sales materials is one of the most essential activities. Depending upon the require- ments of the sales department, sales presentations may be equally vital. As a general rule, written presentations are not required in most local markets. (They are used profusely in selling network radio or television to large national adver- tisers.) Whether a presentation is oral or written, the factual basis for the presentation should be prepared by collabora- tion between the salesmen and the promotion department. The promotion man, being closer to all the available mate- rial, may be able to give the salesman creative selling ideas that might not have occurred to him. The promotion man should be capable of taking a sales problem, analyzing it in
228 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
the light of available information and coming up with a convincing story for the salesman's pitch.
Each program available for sale should be analyzed for its sales appeal, "checked out" in research, compared with other successful shows of a similar type. Among the points to be covered in a program presentation are: the popular appeal of the talent; the success -formula employed in the show; the program's track record in producing sales, attracting audience or pulling mail; the program's audience characteristics-its size and its loyalty; the program's time period and its rela- tionship to shopping hours; the type of audience available; how the program stacks up against competition; its cost com- pared to other programs; its cost per thousand homes; num- ber of homes delivered per dollar; etc. And this information should be compiled in a convenient and attractive form. Whether the physical form is an illustrated booklet or a few mimeographed pages depends upon the relative importance of the program to the station and also upon the promotion budget. Of paramount significance, however, is the content of program presentations. The promotion man should dig hard for every possible sales point that will help the salesman to sell the program.
KNOWING THE LOCAL MARKET
In addition to developing the statistical story of a market, it is necessary to understand the psychology of the community too. A traveler from abroad might get the impression that most American cities are very much alike, for in outward appearances they do have a striking similarity. But all of us know that a city in Mississippi is really quite unlike a Cali- fornia town. A community in Vermont is as distant psycho- logically as geographically from a Montana city. The people make the difference. The heritage, the tastes, the opinions,
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 229
the prejudices, the desires, the philosophies of people vary enormously from one city to another.
The promotion man must know the characteristics of the people in his community. His approach to promotion must be conditioned by his knowledge of the people, their tastes, desires and prejudices. Naturally, there are no standard pat- terns to follow. A hit in Ohio may fall flat in Texas. Promo- tion that has the perfect flavor for Wyoming may fail completely in Massachusetts. It is important that the promo- tion man be sensitive to the idiosyncrasies of the local public, and cast the psychological mold for his activities accordingly.
INSTITUTIONAL PROMOTION
Institutional promotion builds the name and prestige of the station. Although an effective institutional campaign may have an indirect influence upon the sales and audience pic- ture, its primary purpose is psychological: the elevation of the station's prestige in its community. If a station neglects to promote its role in serving the public, it may easily fail to receive recognition for such efforts. The average radio or television station contributes much time and money to in- form and educate the citizens of its area. It cooperates with charity drives, community improvement programs and fund- raising campaigns. It broadcasts talks by local ministers, edu- cators, civic leaders. Great music, operas and ballet are brought into the living rooms of thousands who otherwise would be deprived of such cultural opportunities. The sta- tion provides a stimulus to local cultural achievement through musical events, great dramas, interviews with dis- tinguished leaders of art, architecture, philosophy, science, the theater. All these and many other services consistently contribute to the advancement of public understanding. The
230 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
promotion manager should develop a public consciousness of his station's role in public enlightenment.
Institutional promotion may employ on -the -air announce- ments, newspaper advertising, displays, direct -mail or other media. The "tone" of the copy may be on the conservative side or may also include a "sell." An excellent example of an institutional advertisement is shown in the accompanying illustration.
Another form of institutional promotion is the advance- ment of a better public understanding of advertising, par- ticularly of radio and television advertising. The industry is
frequently under attack by a small group of vocal individuals who hold that advertising raises the price of goods, wastes money needlessly and deceives the public with extravagant claims for products. Radio and television stations are criti- cized for "over -commercialization," annoying commercials or even for the whole commercial system. If some of the more radical critics had their way, the commercial radio and tele- vision concept would be abolished, resulting, obviously, in government ownership of broadcasting. Though the vast majority of Americans are opposed to government -controlled broadcasting, they are not as outspoken as this small minority of critics. To stimulate public opinion in favor of the pri- vately owned commercial system of broadcasting is a worthy objective of the institutional phase of promotion department operations. This may be accomplished effectively by on -the - air announcements scheduled in programs appealing to ma-
ture audiences. Copy may be prepared locally or furnished by the Advertising Federation of America, which supplies an-
nouncements to stations free of charge. "Institutional promotion" as a term may also cover those
activities described earlier in this chapter under sections entitled "Promoting a Station's Dial Position" and "Pro-
Ere ." Cu,, action, Fhilodelphio, Jc-wcry,
WPTZ, PHILADELPHIA.. One of America's Great Television Stations,
now in its 21st year on the air!
Yes. ivie far back as, Jailoarv, 1932, and \ \ PIZ thek no, , Vt t\ tole vision, In
I, lio icor the RV hi, g-inicirl cononervial nse, to trek-, ision orations. WI17 sogan cementer-.
opia
Iieiirare,-, 1953. Vi' 'I t is still e tie.,,11.1 St.
i)oou thriengli the past t1o1,1 esir le yea, people.'hiladelphia
hico about te-leivisieinh its -arched ir over 17. rodas >et Sít, rhvir liner T.\
shoe, lu,, \\ 1'17, Their fort right . hall game tits- drama . fuel polireoal coo ventiorE
ith its on -insist hotisol stars tnei shows. its olio, high rated trieval ptiegrain,, itte
sit .inee. hold ein rs esin eihelecieree. hirlt onelet ir Vt P I / .111.1,it
fro omelette W1'1 Z.. ei,v ea o ill in e ...e .t pi co
lo eh-lphrie ii_ -op le eisartilt 1\1'17,1,, thou K.,h, 1 h 1,111
NB -C -TV A=FILIATE
1600 Achitects guildng, Phila. 3, Po.
Phone !Gate 4-5500 or NBC Spot Scies
(Courteu of WPTZ, Philadelphia, Pa.)
Fig. 15. A Typical Institutional Advertisement
231
232 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
moting a Station's Personality." For in addition to creating recognition for the station's role in public service, promoting the station as a source of entertainment is an "institutional" as well as an audience -building activity. A fine line need not be drawn between institutional and other forms of promotion (for no such clear distinction exists), but it is necessary for the promotion manager to recognize the merits of promoting the cultural, as well as the commercial, values of his station.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROMOTION DEPARTMENT
The multifold activities of the promotion department re- quire skillful organizational ability. Regardless of the de- partment's size, the assignment of responsibilities should be carefully divided so that the duties of each member are clearly defined and the abilities of each are properly and fully utilized. A list of activities for a typical promotion depart- ment begins on page 236. The promotion manager may wish to use this check list as a guide to the assignment of responsi- bilities in his department. It is almost impossible for one man to keep in personal touch with the many varied details of promotional operations, so the delegation of responsibili- ties to others encourages efficiency.
Budgeting is an all-important phase of promotion ad-
ministration. The promotion manager is, of course, responsi- ble for estimating expenses and maintaining records of actual monthly expenditures of his department.
The most practical approach to budgeting is the "job system." Under this arrangement, anticipated projects are listed under each of the major promotion areas (sales, audi- ence and institutional promotion) for each month of the budget period. The cost is estimated for each project and budgeted for the month when bills will be received from suppliers. In order to accurately estimate costs, it is neces-
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 233
sary to check the rate cards of local newspapers, national trade magazines and other advertising media to be used; records of previous bills for art and preparation of advertisements (artwork, layout, typesetting, engraving, etc); rate scales of local printing houses for photo-offset, silk-screen, letterpress, and other types of printing; costs of collating and handling; costs of slides, telops, film clips, etc., for television on -the - air promotion; cost of transcriptions for radio air promotion; estimates for major presentations using motion pictures, slides, slide -films, easels or desk cards.
Here is a check list of costs for each job that would ordi- narily be required in a station promotion department:
Magazine or Newspaper Advertisements 1. Space (including discounts earned during year) 2. Layout 3. Artwork 4. Typesetting and make-ready 5. Photoengraving 6. Mats (if necessary) 7. Postage or express charges (if necessary) 8. Reprints (if desired)
Car Cards, Billboards, Displays 1. Space or rental 2. Layout 3. Artwork 4. Rendering and make-ready 5. Printing (silk-screen, lithograph) 6. Construction (for displays)
On -the -air Promotion 1. Recordings, transcriptions, film trailers 2. Talent fees (if necessary) 3. Production and staging costs (if necessary)
234 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
4. Layout and artwork for slides or telops 5. Photography for slides and telops 6. Production of slides and telops
Booklets, Printed Presentations, Brochures, Folders, Bulle- tins, etc.
1. Layout 2. Artwork 3. Typesetting and make-ready 4. Photoengraving or paste-up 5. Stock for covers and inside pages 6. Printing (letterpress, lithograph, silk-screen) 7. Cutting and collating 8. Binding 9. Mailing containers and handling
10. Postage and express charges
Unusual projects like motion -picture presentations, slide or slide -film presentations, large easels, trailers for motion - picture -theater showings, matchbook advertising, desk calen- dars, "gimmicks," novelty direct -mail pieces, or major ex- ploitations such as floats for parades, spectaculars, aerial pro- motion, etc., should not be budgeted until estimates have been received from suppliers assigned to each project.
After a detailed estimate has been made for each project during the budget period, the items are totaled for each major classification of the promotion budget. These classifications may be as follows:
Sales Promotion
Space Art and preparation Other promotion (presentations, direct -mail bulletins, sales
facts material, program schedules, rate cards, etc.)
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 235
Audience Promotion Space Art and preparation Other promotion (on -the -air promotion, displays, posters,
direct -mail to listeners, etc.) Institutional Promotion
Space Art and preparation Other promotion (direct -mail to influential persons, win-
dow displays, institutional booklets, etc.)
In addition to budgeting for the department's operational expenses, it is necessary to provide for all internal expenses, such as salaries of employees (including anticipated increases), overtime, entertainment and travel expenses, office supplies, equipment rental, postage, express, subscriptions to publica- tions, books, club membership dues, etc. These internal esti- mates, of course, are budgeted separately from operational costs.
The promotion manager must keep accurate records of all expenditures, comparing the total cost of each job with the budgeted figure. If an anticipated project is abandoned, the department manager should either substitute another under- taking or hold the unspent money for future contingencies. If certain jobs exceed the budget, the manager must either reduce the cost of other projects proportionately or request approval from management for an overexpenditure. Inci- dentally, it is advisable to inform management immediately if a newly requested promotion project will extend the es-
tablished budget, for otherwise management may assume that it can be accomplished within the existing budget.
The key to efficient administration of a promotion budget is organization. Once a practical system of accounting is set
236 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
up, the actual maintenance of budgetary control will become more or less routine. Time spent in careful organizational work will save much time and prevent snarled records in the future.
SIXTY ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION DEPARTMENT
Sales Promotion 1. Supplying sales staff with basic sales material 2. Developing sales approaches based upon available re-
search 3. Analyzing all research material and adapting it for
sales use 4. Initiating surveys to prove station's sales advantages 5. Interpreting market data for prospective sales use 6. Studying and supplying salesmen with information on
circulation, audience, costs and claims of competitors 7. Applying sales approaches successfully used in other
markets to local sales problems 8. Developing arguments for use by salesmen on specific
accounts 9. Writing sales presentations for management or for
salesmen's use 10. Handling physical production of sales presentations 11. Personally making sales presentations to prospects 12. Preparing "stewardship" presentations seeking client
renewals 13. Assembling full information on all programs available
for sale
14. Supplying sales staff with bulletins containing all new
developments on programs influencing their sales po-
tential
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 237
15. Developing, writing and producing presentations for available programs
16. Distributing presentations and other sales aids to sta-
tion's national spot representative 17. Coordinating with offices of national spot representa-
tive and supplying information necessary for national sales purposes
18. Originating, researching, writing and producing book-
lets, brochures, folders, broadsides, etc., promoting the sale of available programs
19. Originating, writing and producing advertisements for
insertion in business or trade publications
20. Scheduling space in publications for such advertise-
ments 21. Studying circulation, costs, type of audience, etc., of
trade publications, to determine choice of media to be
used 22. Supervising preparation of layout and artwork for
trade advertisements 23. Ordering production of photoengravings if necessary
and sending them to publication before publication deadline
24. Ordering and distributing reprints of trade advertise-
ments to station personnel, sales staff and local pros-
pects (if desired) 25. Planning major promotion campaigns for highly im-
portant programs 26. Coordinating with station program and sales manage-
ment on direction of sales promotion emphasis
27. Originating new devices, slogans, symbols, etc., for
creating advertiser interest in the station and its pro-
grams
238 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
28. Handling production and distribution of monthly station program schedule
29. Handling production of rate cards 30. Preparing sales letters or telegrams for salesmen's
use 31. Making calls with sales manager or salesmen 32. Participating in sales meetings; describing sales promo-
tional material and its application to sales
Audience Promotion 33. Coordinating with program manager, producers, di-
rectors and talent to obtain information on programs 34. Writing and producing on -the -air announcements pro-
moting listening to or viewing programs 35. Scheduling and trafficking promotional announcements 36. Supervising layout and artwork for television visual
promotional announcements 37. Writing and producing film trailers for television air
promotion 38. Originating and writing newspaper advertisements pro-
moting programs 39. Supervising layout, production and scheduling of news-
paper ads 40. Originating, writing and producing transit advertise-
ments, outdoor advertising, motion -picture trailers and other forms of promotion
41. Planning, developing, scheduling and executing dis- plays in store windows, lobbies, etc.
42. Planning and executing campaigns using several media to exploit program premières or special broadcasts
43. Writing, editing and distributing station newspaper to listeners or viewers
44. Coordinating with network promotion department on local promotion of network shows
OPERATING SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 239
45. Using promotion materials supplied by network for local on -the -air, newspaper and display promotion
46. Reporting to national and local clients the promotion effort for each show, including its dollar value accord- ing to the rate card plus actual expenditures in other media
47. Informing local salesmen, national spot representative and network of specific promotion effort devoted to programs in which each is interested
48. Arranging public appearances of station talent for pro- motion of shows
49. Arranging cross -plugs and guest appearances of talent on programs other than their own
50. Meeting with clients and agencies to plan promotional campaigns or to report on past promotion
Institutional Promotion
51. Planning and executing campaigns to promote the sta- tion's public service programs
52. Planning and executing campaigns to demonstrate the contributions of the station to its community
53. Planning and executing campaigns to increase public awareness of the station and its dial position
54. Scheduling and writing on -the -air campaigns promot- ing public understanding of radio and television adver- tising
55. Entering the station and/or its programs in competi- tions for national or local awards
56. Writing presentations for awards 57. Promoting and exploiting awards and honors given
the station by local or national organizations 58. Making speeches or presentations to local civic clubs,
fraternal organizations, schools or church groups
240 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
59. Representing the station in industry or network meet-
ings and conventions 60. Assisting in creating favorable impression of station
among station visitors
It is suggested that the above list of activities be used to
"take inventory" of your promotion department. Although the promotion departments of some stations provide practi- cally all of these services, others are restricted by personnel and budgetary limitations from performing many of the functions listed. The true effectiveness of a promotion opera- tion can be measured by its successful execution of the ma-
jority of these services. The goal of every ambitious promotion manager should be the accomplishment of as many of these
functions as possible.
CHAPTER 21
How to Prepare an Effective Sales Presentation
A sales presentation is the seller's exposition of his product to the buyer. Every sales presentation contains two basic ele- ments: (1) a description of the proposal; (2) the reasons why the proposal should be bought. The form of sales presenta- tions is widely varied. The most common form is verbal presentation, the words used by a salesman, the "sales pitch," "sales spiel" or simply "sales talk." Written sales presenta- tions may be in the form of letters from salesmen to adver- tisers, formal narrative presentations or presentation book- lets reproduced for several prospective advertisers. Group presentations are designed according to the nature of the sub- ject matter and the size of the group to which they will be shown. They may be in the form of flip -over easels, desk cards, slides, slide -films, motion pictures or kinescope films.
Certain principles apply to all sales presentations regard- less of their physical shape. The salesman's words on an in- formal call and a big -easel presentation to a company's board of directors, both tackle the same objective: winning the prospect's approval of the proposal. The steps for preparing effective sales presentations are remarkably similar whether
241
242 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
they ultimately take the form of a sales letter, a "sales pitch" or a presentation to a large group.
WHERE TO START A PRESENTATION
The approach to every sales presentation is always: How can your station best serue the interests of the advertiser? The place to start is not at your desk, or the sales manager's desk or the station manager's desk. Start at the prospect's desk! Put yourself in the prospect's position. What would interest you? What problems would seem most important to you? What would appear to be the best solutions to your problems?
Although this may seem a simple and obvious approach, it is amazing how often it is overlooked. All too frequently salesmen present their wares not from the advertiser's point of view, but from their own. Too much is said about the sta- tion, too little about the advertiser's specific interests, prob- lems and objectives. In buying a new suit, it may be interest- ing to know that a men's store ranks first in town, but you are much more interested in whether the suit fits you. There is
no interest as great as self-interest. Every good sales presenta- tion must begin with the self-interest of the buyer, not of the seller.
How can a salesman or presentation writer know the ad- vertiser's problems? By studying his business. A little initia- tive and effort can produce the answers to many important questions. How long has the prospect been in business? What is his "status" in the community? Has he been expanding? How does he merchandise-conservatively or aggressively? How does he rank with his competitors? What are the recent business trends in his industry? What products does he fea-
ture in advertising? What appear to be his best traffic -build- ers? Does he feature "class" or "mass" merchandise? How widely does he advertise and in what media? What are his
PREPARING AN EFFECTIVE SALES PRESENTATION
principal copy approaches? Does advertising seem to pla'' dominant or subordinate role in his over-all merchandising marketing scheme?
The answers can be found by investigation, observatil and interrogation. The salesman, himself, can become miliar with his accounts' activities just by asking questior. Knowing that certain types of information will enable ti salesman to render better service, the average advertiser wi talk freely about problems peculiar to his business. Muc. can be learned, too, by observing the physical plant of th advertiser, his merchandising displays, his customers, hi.
sales people. Naturally, the best way to find out about his ad vertising slants is to read his ads or listen to his commercials. As a professional advertising man, a radio or television sales- man or promotion man can understand a great deal about a company's advertising through studying its advertisements. Anyone can keep in touch with industry trends, new products, new merchandising techniques and trade developments through any of the leading business publications like Busi- ness Week, Nation's Business, The Wall Street Journal and Retailing Daily.
If the desire to know the prospect's company exists, the means of getting the information are limited only by one's own initiative. The application of the information to sales presentations is the next step.
"THINKING THROUGH" THE SALES PRESENTATION
Before a presentation is even outlined, it should be "thought through" as a logically developed plan designed to meet the advertiser's requirements with the best possible service. After sizing up the prospect's situation, analyzing his current merchandising problems and his current use of ad-
vertising, one should look for areas where further sales em-
244 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
phasis is apparently needed. There might, for example, be
a need for reaching more housewives, or for reaching more people in the lower -income groups or for reaching more car - owners. A "type" of audience may be found missing or under- emphasized in the prospect's current advertising. Fortunately, radio and television provide programs designed to reach virtually every type of audience, so it is usually possible to deliver almost any individual group that constitutes the ad-
vertiser's prime market. Instead of reaching a specific "type" of audience, the prospect's principal objective might be rais-
ing the stature and prestige of his company; or he may need a repetitive promotion campaign to saturate the market with his sales messages. Another prospect may need more "person- alized" advertising, another a better graphic demonstration of his product. Still another may feel that competitors using radio or television are gaining an advantage that is affecting his share of the market.
This "sizing up" of the advertiser's principal requisites will pave the way for the next step, which is the selection of
a specific program or service that may help the advertiser to reach his objectives.
How can the proposed program be adapted most success-
fully to handle the particular problems of the advertiser? What are the various possibilities of handling commercials for maximum results? How can the program or service be
tied into the specific merchandising plan of the advertiser? What features of the service should have the greatest appeal to the prospect? How can these features be made most at-
tractive in the presentation? These questions may develop ideas requiring clearance
with the sales manager, program manager or others. The time for originating new ideas that will add zest to the pro-
posal is during the formative stages of the presentation.
PREPARING AN EFFECTIVE SALES PRESENTATION 245
After the basic approach has been established, a list of the reasons why the proposal will benefit the advertiser should be compiled. In developing this list, emphasis should be placed upon the advertiser's sales, merchandising and ad- vertising problems. In so far as possible, each of the reasons for buying should answer a specific objective of the advertiser. The presentation, thus, from its embryonic stages is designed to meet the advertiser's individual requirements.
The temptation always exists to discredit other advertising media used by the prospective sponsor. Where greater value can be truthfully shown, it may be desirable. But no one responds well to a presentation implying that other media are inferior. Such tactics cast a reflection on the prospect's judg- ment for having bought other media in the past. The adver- tiser may have spent considerable sums in competing media with profitable results. He does not consider himself naive for having done so. In compiling the list of reasons for buy- ing, then, one cannot allow himself to become overly biased in favor of his own proposal. Naturally, he is biased, but like a good lawyer, his bias is camouflaged with sound logic.
Along with each reason for buying, the anticipated points of resistance should be considered. A presentation that does not anticipate the negative is vulnerable to attack. It is as important to develop logical answers to anticipated sales re- sistance as it is to evolve positive selling points. In the natural enthusiasm of developing a presentation, it is easy to over- look some issues that might restrain the advertiser from ac- cepting the proposal. This does not mean that anticipated re- sistance from the account should inhibit the forcefulness or positiveness of the presentation. It does mean that good, sound arguments that recognize anticipated resistance will add strength to the presentation.
A useful axiom in thinking through a sales presentation is
246 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
this: Think of all the positive points. Neglect none of the
negative points. Accent the positive. Overcome the negative.
THE FORM OF THE PRESENTATION
The decision as to the form the sales presentation takes
is usually the salesman's. As indicated earlier, most presenta-
tions will be given verbally by the salesman without the bene-
fit of visual aids. Even if there is tó be no written presenta-
tion, it can often be helpful to the salesman to make a brief
outline of his "pitch." This is especially recommended for
preparing for the most important calls.
A sales letter that proposes a specific offering to a prospect
is actually a miniature sales presentation. The thinking, researching and selling techniques used in preparing regular
sales presentations should precede the composition of an
effective sales letter. Next to face-to-face selling, good sales
letters have probably accounted for more orders than any
other method. Accordingly, this chapter should be as useful
to the writers of sales letters as to the sales presentation writer.
Some accounts may prefer written sales presentations that
describe the proposal in detail and set forth the conditions
of the sale. Such presentations are especially useful when the
advertiser is considering several media proposals and wants
to compare their relative merits. These presentations are
prepared by the sales promotion department in close coordina-
tion with the salesman. A later section discusses the techniques
of sales presentation writing. Presentations to a large group of people may require a
larger, more dramatic format. The most common type is
the large flip -over easel that illustrates the prepared speech
of the salesman. Easel pages can be seen by several people
simultaneously and have the advantage of holding group
attention while a complete exposition of the sales pitch is
PREPARING AN EFFECTIVE SALES PRESENTATION 247
made. Slide or slide -film presentations may be used for large groups of fifty or more people. Slide, slide -film or movie presentations are generally limited to over-all stories of the station. They are rarely used for individual account solicitations.
OUTLINING THE PRESENTATION
The actual outline of the sales presentation can now begin to take shape. The outline is the framework of the presenta- tion around which the final story is written. As such, its care- ful construction is most important.
A presentation outline is simply a listing of a logical pro- gression of ideas culminating in a request for the order. Naturally each presentation is adapted to the particular con- ditions of the account. Although there are no standard formulas applicable to all presentations, a general archi- tectural plan may be followed for most written pitches, containing the following elements:
1. The Hypothesis: Statement of the conditions that prompted the presentation; the advertiser's current merchandising and advertising problems; the need for concentration upon a certain market; the marketing situation that establishes 'the feasibility of radio or television advertising; the sales opportunities open to the advertiser in his merchandisable area
2. The Proposal: The proposal for fulfilling the needs outlined in the hypothesis; how the proposal will meet the advertiser's problems and help to solve them
3. The Description: The details of the proposal; the program, its format and talent; the record of the pro-
gram in selling merchandise and attracting audience; the current popularity and appeal of the program; the
248 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
recommended time period; advantages of the time period in reaching the audience required by the advertiser
4. The Sell: Opportunities offered the advertiser by the program for increased sales, added impact, product exposure, etc.; sales successes of other advertisers using programs of a similar type; merchandising, promotion and publicity opportunities; prestige advantages of the proposal; comparative analysis with other media
5. The Contractual Conditions: Breakdown of costs for time and program; costs under various contractual periods; cancellation privileges; other contractual provisions
6. The "Cost Sell": Proof of the value of the proposal; cost per thousand homes delivered; comparison with cost and cost -per -thousand value of other media; rela- tionship of cost to sales potential of program; the cost as an "investment"
7. The Conclusion: Summary of all significant points; lead -up to the final "sell"; the close; asking for the order
The accuracy of statements made in a sales presentation must be unquestionable, for most advertisers will consider the contents of the presentation as firm commitments from the station. For this reason, the elements of a sales presenta- tion must be thoroughly researched, checked and verified before it is written.
RESEARCHING THE PRESENTATION
The documentation of facts contained in a sales presenta-
tion determines to a large extent their believability. State-
ments of audience size, station coverage, cost -per -thousand
analyses, etc., must be supported by acceptable research
PREPARING AN EFFECTIVE SALES PRESENTATION 249
sources. As a rule, the more statements documented by re- search the better. Backing up statements in a presentation with reputable research sources gives an air of authenticity to the whole proposal. It will avoid arguments, too, for if outside research sources are not used to verify statements, the prospect may assume that the statements are merely speculative.
The most frequently used research sources for sales presen- tations are:
For coverage data: Nielsen Coverage Service, Standard Audit and Measurement Services, field -strength measurements
For audience data: A. C. Nielsen, The Pulse, Inc., American Research Bureau, C. E. Hooper, Videodex, Conlan
For circulation figures of printed media_ Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC)
For rates: Local rate cards and/or Standard Rate and Data Service
For market data: Sales Management's "Survey of Buying Power"
For sales success stories: Experience of clients; Broadcast Ad- vertising Bureau (for radio), Sponsor, Broadcasting -Telecast- ing, Printers' Ink, Television, Television Age and Tide magazines
For industry trends, new products, etc: Business Week maga- zine, The Wall Street Journal, Television Digest, Retailing Daily, Food Field Reporter, Drug Trade News, Automotive News, Nation's Business, Electrical Merchandising and other vertical trade and business publications
For audience response stories: Mail count for on -the -air offers; attendance at events featuring personal appearances of stars; regular fan mail count; requests for studio tickets
For local business statistics: Local Chambers of Commerce or trade associations, Sales Management's "Survey of Buying Power," "Consumer Markets and Consumer Income Data," of SRDS and Printers' Ink's "Advertisers' Annual"
250 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
The most convenient method of indicating research sources
in the presentation is by footnotes on the page where the material is quoted. For instance, the statement: "WXXX Covers More Families Than Any Other Hometown Station" would be footnoted as follows: "Source: Nielsen Coverage
Service, April 195-." It is important to include the date of
the research survey or report along with its official name.
WRITING THE PRESENTATION
After all the advance thinking and spadework have been completed and the sales points have been researched, the actual composition of the presentation may be undertaken. No presentation should be written until all the foundation work has been done. The planning, thinking, development, researching and outlining are infinitely more essential than the mere phrasing of the prose. No tricky writing was ever able to overcome weak material. If the solid sales story is
developed first, the presentation will "write itself." Some general suggestions are in order on the style of presen-
tation writing. These suggestions are based upon the author's experience in preparing and directing untold quantities of
sales presentations to local, regional and national advertisers.
1. Be direct: Say what you mean, clearly, concisely,
directly. Don't skirt around the subject. 2. Be brief: A sales presentation is no place to elaborate
on sales points. (They can be "talked.") Make each sales
point a little gem of brevity. Straight, to the point. 3. Organize the material: This, of course, must be done
in the presentation outline and followed through in
the writing. Set up the material so that each point leads
to the next in a smooth, orderly fashion.
4. Provide smooth continuity: Avoid making the presen-
PREPARING AN EFFECTIVE SALES PRESENTATION 251
tation read like a collection of isolated sales points. Write transitions between each point so that each one seems to "grow out" of the preceding point. Establish a flowing narrative that builds to an interesting climax.
5. Take a point of view: Set up a concrete point -of -view at the beginning and stick to it. (There's no room for "sub -plots" in sales presentations.)
6. Avoid "tricks": Gimmicks, cute language, poetry, gags and clever sayings all have their place, but not in sales presentations. Don't phony up a good presentation with extraneous stuff that displays the cleverness of the writer more than the strength of the material itself.
7. Consider the reader's individuality: You wouldn't write to your Aunt Margie in the same style that you would use in writing to a former Army buddy. Know as much about the man to whom the presentation is
directed as possible, and play up to his individual tastes and interests. One prospect may be bored by statistics while another thrives on them. One may warm up to the excitement of show business while another may have little interest. Write the presentation accordingly.
8. Keep it pleasant: Avoid arbitrary statements that "buy" arguments. Keep the presentation positive and optimistic. Avoid threats of consequences if the adver- tiser chooses to reject your offer. Always leave a pleasant impression so that whether the offer is accepted or not, the advertiser will have a favorable opinion of the station's solicitation.
Years ago it was popular to place ten or twelve words of
copy in dead center of each page of a presentation, the assump-
tion apparently being that one would be too busy turning pages to lose interest in the presentation. Other sales presen-
252 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
tation experts prefer to fill every page with copy so that the presentation reads like a book. The author's preferred tech-
nique is neither extreme. Each page should express an indi- vidual sales point, whether it takes a few words or the entire page. Some sales points may require two or more pages, but each new point should be introduced on a new page. This system gives individual emphasis to each sales point and provides easier reference.
Any discussion on sales presentations would be incom- plete without mentioning "teasers," "leaders" and "heads." "Teasers" are brief lines at the bottom of the presentation page that form a bridge into the following page. "Leaders" are the short introductory lines at the top of the page and "heads" are the prominent headlines that express the princi- pal subjects to be covered. Heads should be sufficiently
prominent to dominate the page. Teasers and leaders are useful devices for maintaining interest and providing con-
tinuity from one point to the next. They should be used discriminately, however, for it isn't necessary for every page to have a leader and teaser. Generally speaking, they belong where a transition is needed from one point to the next in order to avoid abruptness. The accompanying illustration demonstrates an effective use of leaders, heads and teasers in a typical presentation.
WRITING "GENERAL" PRESENTATIONS
The emphasis thus far has been upon presentations pre-
pared for individual advertisers. Although such "custom" presentations are by far the most direct and therefore the most effective, a sales staff also needs a few "general" presen-
tations that may be used in selling all types of accounts.
Obviously, general presentations cannot embrace the adver-
tisers' individual sales problems, since they are limited to a
le a market -place for your merchandise, <LEADER
rau -TV OFFERS A RALF -BILLION DOLLAR sins AFEA `HEAD
One-fourth of Alabama's retail aalee are
made in SSA -TV's coverage areal a total
of a562ä070,000 of merchandise sold last
year.
Per capita income in WfXf-TV's area in 2C
percent higher than the state average,
literally the richest section of Alabama.
<BODY COPY
TEASER' your
capitalize inpthis market,he we
potential s
offered
SOW' 0111 sales Management Survey of Buying Poorer, May, 1.954 <FOOTNOTE
Fig. 16. Typical Page from a Sales Presentation, Illustrating "Leaders,' "Teasers" and "Heads"
253
254 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
degree in the amount of "specific" material presented. General presentations have a definite value, however, in documenting basic sales stories. Unlike custom presentations, they can be given wide distribution to many advertisers simultaneously. General presentations can be used to service many accounts quickly with an important story.
The most vital general presentation sells the station as an advertising medium. No station should be without a com- prehensive written presentation summarizing its basic values to advertisers. It will be the most useful single presentation in the sales department. The basic station presentation is
"standard equipment" for local advertising agencies and advertisers, the station's national spot representative and regional and national network sales offices. The national representatives, in particular, need comprehensive station presentations to do an efficient sales job. Through its basic presentation, a station is guaranteed that it will be represented accurately to national advertisers.
In preparing the basic presentation, the station's position in its market should not be exaggerated. The more factual and informative the presentation is, the more useful it will be to salesman and buyer alike. Overenthusiastic "chamber -of -
commerce type" claims will detract rather than add to the presentation's acceptance, especially among national accounts.
The type of information that is most valuable to both local and national accounts includes:
Market Information Population of metropolitan area and station's coverage area Number of families in metropolitan area and station's
coverage area Retail sales in metropolitan area and station's coverage
area
PREPARING AN EFFECTIVE SALES PRESENTATION 255
Food sales in metropolitan area and station's coverage area Drug sales, metropolitan area and station's coverage area General merchandise sales, metropolitan area and station's
coverage area Effective buying power, metropolitan area and station's
coverage area Per capita buying power, metropolitan area and station's
coverage area Per capita retail sales, metropolitan area and station's
coverage area Rank of metropolitan area in state and in United States
in population, retail sales, buying power Indications of growth of metropolitan area and/or entire
coverage area Major industries located in area, number of employees
and payroll Principal agricultural, mining or chemical products of
area and value Educational institutions; vacationers and other transient
population
Station Information Power, frequency or channel number Transmitter location and height of tower Date of founding Ownership Primary and secondary coverage areas Hours of operation Network and station option time Network affiliation and national representative List of principal national and local advertisers, including
length of service Promotion, publicity and merchandising services
256 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Station sales success stories Evidence of station superiority in: average audience, top
shows, billings, number of advertisers, audience response, audience preference (when same program is carried on competing station), cost, cost per thousand homes, top stars, awards, public service, prestige, years of service
Basic rates (attach rate card to presentation) Rates in comparison with competitors' rates Important station policies
Program Information List of principal network and local shows Brief description of top availabilities, including audience
and sales records, costs, etc. Production equipment and services available, including
costs
It is fairly obvious that a collection of all the above informa- tion in one booklet will be a gold mine to anyone selling the station. Such a presentation can be his bible. It should be noted, though, that some of the material will become out-of- date rapidly and must be constantly refurbished. Many sta-
tions combine into a single book their basic station presenta- tion and their sales facts books (see Chapter 20). This form may avoid some duplication of effort, but it has the disad- vantage of being too bulky for the advertiser and agency to study. The basic station presentation is primarily a sales promotion piece and is written for the advertiser, whereas the sales facts book is all-inclusive and is written for the salesman.
Other "general presentations" of value are booklets on available programs, special sales plans or "packages" and presentations descriptive of a significant new development that may influence the station's acceptance among advertisers.
PREPARING AN EFFECTIVE SALES PRESENTATION 257
It is a rare station that has a sizable enough promotion staff to turn out full presentations on available programs. How- ever, every station must supply its salesmen, local and national, with certain basic information on each of its properties. Whether the sales information for programs ap- pears on simple one -page bulletins or is expanded into full- blown presentations, the following basic points should be covered:
Title of show and time and days of broadcast Names and professional background of talent Description of program format Current and past ratings and share -of -audience figures Audience position compared to that of competitors Evidence of sales results for sponsors Evidence of audience response and loyalty Type of audience (family, housewife, children, urban,
rural, etc.) List of current advertisers Merchandisable aspects of show (public appearances of
talent, endorsement of product, association of program with store displays, etc.)
Costs-program costs and time costs for various contract cycles
Cost per thousand homes Principal advantages of program to advertisers
Program presentations and/or bulletins are prepared for national spot salesmen as well as for local salesmen. Accord- ingly, a sufficient quantity of each presentation must be sent to all the national representative sales offices, so that each available show has the widest possible opportunity to be sold.
Before leaving the subject of sales presentations, it might be well to repeat one principle: Be certain that the presentation
258 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
reflects HOW THE STATION CAN BEST SERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE ADVERTISER. The most successful
presentations (those that sell) have the advertiser's problems in mind from the birth of the idea until the finished product is delivered to the prospect's office.
CHAPTER 22
Promoting Sales to the National Advertiser
Revenue from national advertisers is as important, if not more important, to a station than revenue from local accounts. Some stations, in fact, receive 80 to 90 percent of their total income from national advertisers. Whatever the percentage, national business is intrinsic to the profitable operation of a radio or television station. National advertisers have almost 4,000 radio and TV stations from which to choose, a circum- stance resulting in intense competition. The station's success in attracting national accounts is dependent entirely upon the strength of its selling and promotional activities on the national scene.
National advertisers buy station time, of course, through national spot representatives and networks. The national "rep" is an extension of the station's sales staff in major adver- tising centers: New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities. Unlike the local sales staff, the national rep is interested in several stations in several markets. Obviously, then, any station is, in effect, competing with other stations for the time of their national spot salesmen. One of the most important contributions a station can make toward increasing its national sales volume is supplying its
259
260 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
national spot salesmen with effective selling tools. If a spot
salesman is fully informed on a station and has the best sales
ammunition, he will see that the station is sold more fre-
quently and more fruitfully. No national rep will deliberately neglect a represented station, but it is natural to devote more
time and effort to the stations providing the best service of
sales information. It is both unrealistic and unfair to expect
a national rep to secure business unless he is provided with
the necessary selling tools. What are those tools? By and
large, the same material provided for local sales: Compre-
hensive sales facts books; up-to-date program schedules;
weekly lists of announcement, station -break and program
availabilities; rate cards; basic station presentations; program
presentations and/or bulletins; station commercial policies;
success stories; ratings reports; coverage maps; production facilities; reports on programming; rates and sales of compet-
ing stations; reports on local and network sales.
A constant flow of material should go out to the the national
rep if a flow of orders is expected back. Important as provid-
ing the comprehensive basic information is, it is even more
important to keep national spot salesmen informed of every
change influencing their representation of the station. The spot salesman should be as well informed as the local salesman.
If the sales manager and promotion manager will think of
both local and national sales staffs as one nationwide organiza-
tion working toward the same end and will keep the entire
"staff" informed of every development, increased sales are
bound to result. Personal contact with the national spot organization is also
essential. The station sales manager should visit the spot offices
to indoctrinate their staffs and to make calls on national
accounts with spot salesmen. The promotion manager should
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 261
learn at first hand how his material is being received by the spot offices and by national advertisers and find out their needs for additional ammunition. Occasional visits of station talent to national spot offices can spark renewed national spot sales activity on behalf of their shows. Talent calls on national advertisers and agencies can produce lasting impressions that may well result in future sales and renewals. Regardless of how effective a station's sales promotional material may be, it cannot substitute for personal contact of station executives and talent. "People," as NBC Radio once said, "sell better than paper."
Some national spot organizations have developed a standardized station information system to simplify the sales- men's task of wading through several different forms of station presentations. Cooperation with the reps's system is wise for obvious reasons of efficiency. The station and the national spot promotion manager should coordinate closely the devel- opment of such material in order to insure ease of handling For the rep and coverage of information adequate for the station's interests.
A relatively small amount of sales information is required by the network or networks with which the station is affiliated. Basic market and station information will usually suffice. There is little reason to supply networks with local program information. If the station is a "basic network affiliate" or a "must buy," the sales promotional problem is practically nil. "Supplementary" network affiliates can best assist the net- work sales staff by supplying the usual market and station data and by national trade promotion.
Regional network sales staffs should similarly be covered with the requisite amount of station and market data, in accordance with their individual requirements.
262 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
NATIONAL TRADE ADVERTISING
One of the most effective methods of selling national adver-
tisers and agencies is through the pages of the publications
they are reading. The trade press in advertising and related
fields is rather voluminous, including at least 30 publications.
Obviously, no one magazine reaches all prospective buyers,
nor does any one magazine reach all levels of decision -makers.
It is not within the province of this book to discuss the merits
of each trade publication. Each one has an alert and capable
sales staff available for conference with any station. A cata-
logue of advertising trade publications may, however, prove
useful:
Radio and Television
Broadcasting -Telecasting (a weekly), 1735 DeSales St., N.W.,
Washington, D.C. Serving agencies and advertisers interested in broadcast advertising
Radio and Television Daily, 1501 Broadway, New York 36, New
York. Serving agencies and advertisers interested in broadcast advertising
Standard Rate and Data Service-Radio or Television Station
editions (monthly), 420 Lexington Avenue, New York 17, New
York. Publications devoted exclusively to listing national rates
of stations Sponsor (a bi -weekly), 40 East 49th Street, New York 17, New
York. Serving agencies and advertisers interested in broadcast
advertising Billboard (a weekly), 1564 Broadway, New York 19, New York.
A newspaper covering the entertainment industry Variety (a weekly), 154 West 46th Street, New York 36, New York.
A newspaper covering the entertainment industry
Television Only
Television (a monthly), 600 Madison Avenue, New York, New
York. A magazine devoted to the interests of television broad-
casting
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 263
Television Age (a monthly), 444 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New York. A magazine devoted to the interests of television broadcasting
Television Digest (a weekly), 717 14th Street, N.W., Washington 6, D.C. A newsletter reporting Washington and national news, channel allocations, trends, etc.
Advertising Publications (all media) Advertising Age (a weekly), 801 Second Avenue, New York 17,
New York. The weekly newsmagazine of the advertising indus- try
Advertising Agency (a monthly), 48 West 38th Street, New York 18, New York. A service publication for advertising agency personnel
Printers' Ink (a weekly), 205 East 42d Street, New York 17, New York. A service publication for advertisers and advertising agency executives
The Advertiser (a monthly), 11 West 42d Street, New York 36, New York. A service publication for advertisers
Tide (a bi -weekly), 232 Madison Avenue, New York 16, New York. A newsmagazine for advertising and marketing execu- tives
Western Advertising (a monthly), 580 Market Street, San Fran- cisco 4, California. A service and news magazine for adver- tisers and agencies located in Western United States.
Sales Management Publications Sales Management (a semi-monthly), 386 Fourth Avenue, New
York 16, New York. A service publication for sales executives
In addition to these advertising publications, certain "verti- cal" trade journals whose circulation includes executives of national accounts are also prospective media for station adver- tising. A representative list includes the following six groups:
Food Retailing Food Field Reporter Daily News Record Supermarket Merchandising Retailing Daily Supermarket News Women's Wear Daily
264 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Drug Electrical Appliances American Druggist Electrical Merchandising Drug Topics Automotive Drug Trade News Automotive News
Tobacco Motor Tobacco Magazine
The rates, circulation, mechanical requirements, etc., for
each of these publications may be obtained from Standard Rate and Data Service, Business Publications Edition, or by
writing directly to the publishers. The selection of media for a station's national trade adver-
tising requires considerable investigation. Among the factors
to look into are: total circulation; analysis of circulation (i.e., number of advertising managers, number of top execu-
tives, number of agency executives, etc.); "waste" circulation (i.e., number of subscribers who are not in the position to
make advertising decisions); paid and free (or "controlled")
circulation; subscriber renewal rate; editorial quality; edi-
torial "slant"; trends in circulation figures; type of advertisers
using the publication; use of the publication by competitors;
readership; mechanical reproduction of advertisements; costs;
cost per hundred subscribers; cost per hundred agency and
advertiser subscribers; geographical distribution; prestige in
the trade; opinion of the national spot representative.
All of these considerations should be applied to the specific
advertising objectives of the station. If the primary target is
agency time buyers, the publications with the most circulation
and greatest strength among time buyers are the obvious
choices. If a campaign is directed to advertising managers,
the publications favored among that group are best. When
in doubt about the "trade opinion" of a publication, the
national rep will be able to give advice.
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 265
Important as media selection is, the real promotion job is accomplished by what the advertisement says. The publica- tion guarantees only that X thousand copies of an ad will be delivered. It cannot guarantee that the ad will get results. The copy, not the publication, determines the success of trade advertising.
Tens of thousands of dollars are wasted annually by radio and television stations through weak, ineffective trade adver- tising. Why? Because many station ads literally do not say anything. The copy for such ads appears to have been written more to please the station's stockholders than to sell time and programs to national advertisers. Place yourself at the desk of a busy buyer of radio and TV stations who must evaluate thousands of stations and read such headlines as these:
Station A: "Yourstate People Are WXXX People" Station B: "Yourstate's Big Station" Station C: "It Pays to Keep the Best Company on WXXX" Station D: "WXXX Towers Over Ourtown." Station E: "WXXX Is the Popular Station" Station F: "A Rich Market Served by an Outstanding Radio
Station" Station G: "In Ourtown, WXXX Is a Habit" Station H: "WXXX, Central Yourstate's Best Buy" Station I: "Ourtown's First Station"
These are actual headlines selected at random from one issue of a trade publication, Not a single one of these ads included any information that verified its statement. What do such ads do for the national advertiser? Absolutely nothing. There can be no justification for advertising that so com- pletely misses its mark.
Taking the above headlines as examples, let's assume that in each case the station is able to support its claim of leader-
266 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
ship. The same stories then can be told through headlines like these:
Station A: "375,000 Yourstate People Are WXXX Viewers" Station B: "WXXX Serves 65% of All Yourstate Families" Station C: "82 Leading National and Local Advertisers
Choose WXXX" Station D: "WXXX's Transmitter, Highest in Ourtown" Station E: "Most of Ourtown's Top -rated Shows Are on
WXXX-TV" Station F: "A Half -Billion -Dollar Market Served by WXXX" Station G: "WXXX Consistently Delivers the Largest Morn-
ing Audience in Ourtown" Station H: "Your Dollar on WXXX Delivers the Most Homes
in Central Yourstate" Station I: "Ourtown's Original Television Station"
A body of descriptive copy following each of these head-
lines would briefly document the headline statement. The source of the information would be footnoted always.
The big difference between these two sets of headlines is their believability. If a station chooses to announce its
leadership of its market, that leadership must be authenti- cated by facts, supported by acceptable research. Wild, un-
documented claims fall on blind eyes. Headlines that clearly establish a station's proof of superiority will gain receptive readers. Buyers of broadcast time, after all, are constantly seeking factual information that will help them to select sta-
tions more wisely. Trade ads can be an important source
of such information, if the station provides accurate, believa-
ble copy. The buyer's job can thus be simplified, much to
the benefit of the intelligently advertised station.
The foregoing is not intended to imply that superiority
should be the only theme of station advertising. In fact, the
overwhelming preponderance of station leadership ads in the
trade press gets pretty tiresome to the average reader. The
most welcome ads among advertiser and agency executives
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 267
and buyers are those that contain helpful information. The following section contains a list of information points that national accounts consider to be the most valuable. National buyers are highly informed professionals, sophisticated in all the intricacies of station appraisal. They should be addressed as such in trade advertisements.
There are really only three basic "sales" to make to the national buyer: (1) the importance of the market; (2) the position, the cost values and the services of the station; and (3) the values offered by specific programs available for sale. As a rule, only one of these areas needs to be covered in an individual ad. Attempting to cover too many subjects in a single ad frequently results in the failure to sell any one point well.
Brevity and singularity of purpose are immensely important qualities of effective trade advertisements. An ad that firmly establishes one point accomplishes its purpose. Each adver- tisement should seek one outstanding impression. It is twice as difficult for a reader to remember two points in an ad as one. It is eight times as hard to remember four points. A sta- tion should determine the most essential message it wants to get across and concentrate upon it in its national trade advertising.
A few words on copy. Two expert copy writers, each making $40,000 a year, can debate endlessly the merits of their respec- tive philosophies. Neither would necessarily be 100 percent right or 100 percent wrong. Good copy is a matter of judg- ment. As everybody in advertising knows, there are more opinions on copy in the big ad shops than on sex, politics and religion combined. The following happens to be one man's opinion, the author's:
Copy for station ads in trade publications should be brief, clear, to the point. Repetitive phrases are bad; long, laborious sentences are bad. Concise, meaty phrases are good. Clarity
268 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
is most important (the say -what -you -mean -don't -beat -around - the -bush approach). Sticking to one point is commendable. Clever, coy, sophisticated or cute copy is to be avoided except in the hands of a real expert. Poetry is murder. Punning is
suicide. Words in universal use are unbeatable. Words dis- playing ownership of a Thesaurus are burdensome. Supplying helpful information is highly effective. Indicating the source of claims is imperative. Timely, newsworthy copy is the very best.
Campaign advertising cannot be overemphasized. Spas-
modic "one-shot" ads can never pay off as well as a steady, consistent campaign. The size of space for individual ads is
not nearly so important as their frequency of insertion. Radio and television stations are outstanding proponents of fre-
quency and consistency in advertising. Certainly in their own advertising efforts, stations should affirm this concept. Each ad in a campaign should be easily identifiable as "one of a
series." The physical appearance of all the ads in a campaign should have a "family resemblance." The cumulative impact of campaign advertising is very rewarding. Consistency and substance are the two legs upon which effective trade adver- tising rests.
INFORMATION CONSIDERED VALUABLE BY
NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
In all the station's sales promotional efforts on the national scene, the receptivity of the trade must be a primary guide- post. The following points are considered by national adver- tisers and their agencies to be the most helpful in evaluating the purchase of radio and television stations. The direction of a station's trade advertising, direct -mail and sales material for its national representative should be governed accordingly. In this list are several points in which your station undoubt-
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 269
edly excels. These points may well form your platform for national sales promotion.
The station's coverage area The size of the station's market (population, radio or TV
homes) The importance of the station's market (compared to other
U. S. markets, other markets in the state) The special characteristics of the market (buying power,
retail sales, growth, industries, agriculture, etc.) The rating position of the station (compared to other
stations) Advertisers using the station (national and local) Billings of the station compared to competitors' Evidence of sales results for station sponsors Evidence of local distributor or dealer support for station Evidence of audience responsiveness Evidence of audience loyalty Audience preference for station when same program is
broadcast on competing stations Evidence of prestige in the community National network programs on station (especially on TV
stations) Details on programs available for sale Advantages of sponsoring available programs Program values compared to competing station programs Attendance figures at public appearances of local stars or
special station events Cost advantages of the station Cost -per -thousand values and comparisons with other
stations Merchandising services available to sponsors Promotion and publicity services of the station
270 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Unusual programming innovations or other indications of imaginative and original concepts
Unusual examples of public service programming Program specialization of station (music, news, sports, farm,
foreign language, etc.) Citations or awards to. station and/or its programs Results of locally conducted surveys of sales effectiveness,
station popularity, etc. Special advantages of station during portions of the broad-
cast day (morning, afternoon, night, week end)
DIRECT -MAIL PROMOTION
As an adjunct to trade press advertising, the medium of direct mail provides another avenue of national sales pro- motion. Of all promotion techniques, direct mail is probably the least understood and most abused. The reason: failure, again, to think first of the advertiser. (How many of the ills of sales and promotion can be overcome simply by considering the other fellow's interests instead of your own?) People are under an illusion when they expect important, busy advertise- ing executives to read and absorb every piece of mail deposited on their desks. Think, for a moment, what would happen if every radio and TV station in the United States decided to send one "mailing piece" each week to buyers of broadcast advertising. To the stations, making a weekly "impression" on the national buyer might appear to be a good idea. How appealing is it to the buyer? Well, the buyer would receive 182,000 pieces of mail per year from stations. Each morning he would face the happy task of perusing no less than 700 direct -mail pieces. If he spent seven -tenths of a minute on each piece, his entire eight -hour day would be spent reading mail promotion. His other alternative is to throw the lot in the wastebasket. Which would you do?
Obviously, every station will not undertake to send weekly
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 271
mailings to buyers, but this illustration shows how easily mail from stations can accumulate on the receiver's desk. Even if each station sent only one direct -mail piece per year, the buyer would receive an average of thirteen pieces of mail promotion every day ... and that's plenty!
Perhaps the most popular form of direct mail used by stations is the monthly program schedule. This would logically seem to be a desirable service to national agencies. However, a survey of top New York agency time -buyers con- ducted by the author found that only one in ten kept files
of all the station program schedules sent to them. The head time -buyer of one of the largest spot -placing agencies reported that two additional employees would have to be added to the staff if station schedules were to be filed and handled properly. Accordingly, this buyer's secretary was under instructions to throw away each schedule upon its arrival. Hundreds of sta- tions are under the impression that they are "reaching" this top time -buying executive through their promotion message on the cover of their program schedules.
Program schedules should be published, certainly. But in so far as national accounts are concerned, they should be distributed through the national spot representative, not directly from the station unless the station knows that the recipient wishes to receive them. Most buyers do maintain files of program schedules from the large major market stations on which they place a lot of business. But large or small, the station should find out whether their program schedules are wanted before mailing them promiscuously to "everybody." There are two ways of finding out: (1) sending a post card to the current addressees asking whether they wish to continue receiving your program schedules, or (2) asking your national spot rep to supply a list of buyers who would like to get your schedules regularly.
How then, can direct mail be used effectively in promoting
272 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV national sales? At the risk of oversimplification, it may be said that direct mail should be used only when there is a truly im- portant announcement to make, something that will be of real significance to the recipient. A station that makes such a discriminate use of the direct -mail medium will earn a repu- tation for supplying worth -while information, which in turn will gain good readership for each piece. The intelligent use of direct mail will help to build the prestige of the station.
It may be felt that such an inconsistent use of mail promo- tion is inefficient. But in the radio and television industry, direct mail is simply not the medium for frequent, repetitive promotion. That is the job of the national rep's sales force and the station's trade press advertising. In radio and TV, direct mail is like correspondence with distant cousins and aunts. You may write them about births and marriages, but you don't write them every week.
When the subject matter for a direct -mail piece has been decided upon, the question of physical form arises. There are literally hundreds of different forms and shapes of mailing pieces ... square, circular, triangular, all sorts of rectangles. Unless the piece is intended strictly as an "eye catcher" to be seen briefly and thrown away, the best form of station direct mail is simply 81/2 by 11 inch pages. Anything that the station wishes the addressee to keep has a better chance of survival if it has the standard file dimensions. It's cheaper too. Incidentally, outsize and offbeat styles and shapes do not necessarily impress the sophisticated national buyer, who is saturated with gimmicks. Many of the "ingenious" devices used to catch the buyer's eye boomerang and discredit the station's intentions. No station will be criticized for using the standard 81/2 by 11 inch format.
The most important thing of all, of course, is the message printed on the mailing piece. In general, the copy principles
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 273
expressed on page 267 apply to direct -mail as well as to trade advertising. Above all, the copy must be brief and to the point. Comprehensive reports and presentations are for the spot representative, not for direct -mail promotion. The rep will see to it that the longer, more detailed information pieces are used in the right places at the right time. Direct mail, even to a greater extent than trade ads, must express its pur- pose and point quickly. A good rule of thumb is to assume that the reader has an average of thirty seconds to spend on each mailing piece. The real, earth -shaking announcements might absorb up to two minutes of his time. The copy should be written to perform the following things:
1. Gain attention and a desire to read on 2. Give a clear description of the point 3. Invite positive action from the reader 4. Encourage the reader to file the piece
Gaining the attention of the reader is accomplished by
making the most prominent feature of the copy or art highly provocative. A clear statement of the thesis is preferable to an unrelated "gimmicked -up" treatment. An interesting declaration of purpose will command reader attention, pro- vided the subject matter is really important.
In the body copy, the information should be stated clearly and concisely. Describe the point in as little detail as possible.
Lead from the description into the request for action: "Call our National Spot Representative for the full story." Although the reader is not ordinarily asked to file the mailing piece,
the apparent importance of the subject matter will encourage him to do so.
One of the most effective uses of direct mail, unfortunately, is seldom used. That is the preparation of sales letters that are sent to the national rep for the spot salesmen's use. A
274 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV personal letter from the spot salesman will invariably be read by his contacts. Through the simple device of supplying spot salesmen with the texts of letters describing important station availabilities, their work is made easier and the station's mes- sage gets through to prospects efficiently.
In contrast, possibly the worst use of direct mail is sending out reprints of trade advertisements. The author has heard more vociferous complaints from agencies about this practice than about any other facet of station direct mail. "Why buy space in a publication to reach advertisers," they say, "and then mail copies of the same ad to reach the same people?" This is definitely a wasteful practice that may promote more annoyance than anything else.
This brings up the question of advertiser and agency reac- tion to expensive -looking direct -mail pieces. In general, elaborate promotion from stations does not impress the advertiser because it is elaborate. The contents of the brochure may be impressive, but its expensive physical ap- pearance does not usually add sufficient weight to justify the cost. Some advertisers, in fact, complain about elaborate promotion pieces from stations, holding that they would prefer less impressive promotion and more attractive station rates. On rare occasions of monumental importance, a hand- some brochure may be warranted and well received; for example: announcing the opening of a new station, announc- ing the opening of new studios, announcing a new network affiliation, promoting the acquisition of new talent with a national reputation or promoting a significant anniversary of the station. High impression -value can be achieved through tastefully produced brochures or booklets on such important subjects.
The key to the circulation of direct -mail promotion is, of course, the mailing list. As a rule mailing lists should be
is th{
ion in the
r\ market
NOW .a.ETRAM EVER! ...:..wh.m
TMíngo took good sn wt OS1
Tiiogz ieok good on ro
7ns`s In°k &
(Courtesy of WCBS-TV, New York, N.Y. and KNXT, Los Angeles, Calif.) Fig. 17. Examples of Station Direct -Mail Promotion Campaigns
275
276 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
developed in coordination with the national representative. This will save the waste circulation that results from using stock lists or compiling lists indiscriminately from the Mc- Kittrick Directory of Advertisers or the Standard Advertis- ing Register. Some spot reps provide stations with their own mailing lists. Two good rules are: (1) Include only those people who can exert a direct influence on advertising de- cisions involving your station, (2) Keep the mailing list up to date.
ESTABLISHING STATION IDENTIFICATION IN THE TRADE
A ringing theme of this chapter has been the importance of providing national advertisers and agencies with material and information that they want, instead of drumming away blithely on things the station may happen to want to say
about itself. The emphasis has been on content of the indi- vidual ad or promotion piece. It is well to add another point: The station's national sales promotion effort will be most effective if all of its components have a "family resemblance." The promotion manager should establish a "look" that reflects the personality of the station. Each ad, each direct - mail piece, each presentation should be readily identifiable as a product of WXXX. The physical appearance of all pro- motion material should be consistent. The execution of this pattern may be in the form of a trade -mark or logotype, the use of typography, the use of art and layout, the use of color or any form of symbolism. Every station's promotion should have something unique and different about its appearance. The station's "look" must be exclusively its own. Its motif should be employed constantly year after year. The result: advertisers, agencies and the national rep will always imme-
diately recognize the origin of the promotion. And if the station has a reputation for accurate, informative material,
PROMOTING SALES TO THE NATIONAL ADVERTISER 277
the easy identification of its promotion will encourage better readership.
Consistency of copy style is important too. Each piece of copy should "sound" as if it originated from the same station. This doesn't have to be a contrived or complicated style. It should be one that is natural to the writer.
TESTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRADE PROMOTION
The station's national spot representative is its "listening post" for trade reaction to its promotion efforts. Frequent consultations should be held with the rep to determine the reception accorded the station's promotion by advertisers, agencies and the spot salesmen themselves. The national rep- resentative's sales staff should "feel" the results of the station's promotion tangibly. Their advice for modification deserves serious consideration.
One device for determining the effectiveness of trade pro- motion is through mail surveys of opinions. A questionnaire requesting the spot salesmen's opinions of the value of each element of the national sales promotion effort can produce much helpful information. A brief questionnaire to the time - buyers with whom the station does business also may provide excellent guidance. Personally "sounding out" acquaintances in the national advertising field may uncover suggestions too.
The promotion manager must be keenly conscious of trade reactions to his efforts. Running ads or mailing promotion pieces without following through to determine the reaction they receive is ostrich -like thinking. A sensitivity to the desires of the national advertising fraternity can be developed by
constantly investigating the opinions of those on the receiv- ing end. Everything that serves to improve the quality, effec-
tiveness and receptivity of national sales promotion will elevate the role that promotion plays in producing revenue for the station.
CHAPTER 23
How to Build Station Audiences
The advertising and promotion department, together with the publicity department, is responsible for attracting audi- ences to the station's programs. The dissemination of infor- mation about programs is the primary basis for stimulating viewer or listener interest and action. Promotion and pub- licity are the station's "voices" to the public.
There is a vast difference between attracting an audience and holding it. Promotion and publicity can attract people to a program. Only the program itself can hold the audience. Frequently, clients whose program ratings are on the skids will assert that their show needs more promotion. If ratings are declining, people are obviously losing interest in the show. Promotion won't win back a lost listener or viewer unless the show itself improves its audience -appeal. The job of promotion is to win an audience for the first few minutes of the program. If the audience doesn't like what it hears or sees, a million dollars' worth of promotion won't bring it back. Radio and television audience promotion is somewhat comparable to motion -picture promotion. In both cases the objective is to attract people to the "box office." Once the audience is in the theater, promotion has fulfilled its responsi -
278
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 279
bility. Of course, movies are strikingly different from radio and TV shows in that the audience pays first. If the pay-off for movies was based upon the impression made during the show, movies would indeed be "better than ever." Promotion cannot promise that the radio and television audience will pay, or even that it will remain throughout the show. Promo- tion can simply get the audience to set its dial on the preferred spot. The rest is up to the show.
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE AUDIENCE PROMOTION
The severity of competition for listener and viewer atten- tion demands expert and ingenious promotion. Certain basic principles should be applied to all the components of an audience promotion campaign, the application of which should attract the greatest amount of attention and win the largest number of viewers and listeners. These are:
First: Give the promotion eye or ear appeal. Stop the person's wandering eye or ear. Gain attention. Impel people to hear you out.
Second: Glamourize your programs. Make your promo- tion reflect the breath -taking excitement of show business, the magic of make-believe. Capture people's imagination.
Third: Be specific. Give the public reasons why the pro- gram will be appealing.
Fourth: Use newsworthy, timely copy. Offer reasons for tuning in the program today, for this particular broadcast.
Fifth: Stick to the point. Make the copy clear, descrip- tive and ... brief.
Sixth: Move people to action. Emphasize the time of broadcast and the station's dial position.
280 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
Of course, if all program promotion succeeded in follow- ing these principles, the listening and viewing public would go crazy from indecision. Actually, few programs will offer opportunities for the honest use of all these principles. Some
shows by nature simply can't be glamourized. Many shows contain no timely or newsworthy features, and, unfortunately, some programs offer a dearth of specific reasons for attracting public attention. If these concepts, however, become the pro- motion manager's "subconscious yardstick" for measuring the promotable features of each show, the effectiveness of his efforts is bound to improve.
The subject of consistency in audience promotion was not inadvertently omitted. It is a virtual impossibility to promote every show on a radio or television station consistently every week. Attempting to promote every show equally will dilute over-all impact to the extent that no program will be well promoted. It is advisable to alternate emphasis among pro- grams, or groups of programs (a single evening block, for example). It is better to do a thorough job on a few shows than an impotent job on all.
Let's review some specific suggestions for the adaptation of each of the six principles listed above.
Gaining Attention
Devices for provoking attention include: eye-catching pho- tographs or cartoons, provocative headlines, star names, well - designed layouts, unusual or offbeat general appearance. According to surveys, photographs of familiar persons, especially entertainers, rank closely behind pictures of babies and animals as the best attention -provoking material. Action photos and mugging shots of featured station stars are excel-
lent for getting reader or viewer attention. A good cartoonist can provide artwork that will catch the reader's eye. Humor-
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 281
ous cartoons consistently win high "leadership." A gifted lay- out artist is capable of making newspaper ads "jump off the page," or TV air promotion "bounce out into the room." Headline copy that has the flavor of immediacy, local interest or dramatic excitement is always effective. On -the -air radio promotion, of course, should employ the proved methods for getting the listener's ear. "Stop" the listener with the first sentence, then tell him the story.
Glamourizing Programs
Build up the stars and their programs. Cast an aura of "big names" around the stars. Let the copy exude excitement, suspense, sentiment, pathos, comedy, warmth-all the moods that make show business a magic thing to the public. Audi- ence promotion is no place for modesty. The greater, more important a program is represented to the public, the more it will attract listeners, or viewers.
Being Specific
If Arthur Godfrey appears on your station, that fact alone may be sufficient reason for the audience to tune in. But the name of Mickey Blotz or a show called "Morning Varie- ties" has no audience -attracting ability unless specific reasons are offered for listening or viewing. It is most important to tell people what goes on in an unfamiliar show. A line or two of descriptive copy can stimulate interest in tuning in to find out what happens. Such information as the selections to be played on a musical program, a sample joke from a comedy show, a suspenseful excerpt from a dramatic show, a "cliff hanger" from a mystery show, a list of household activities to be covered on a home economics show ... all these will de- velop interest in tuning in. The specific statement that "Mrs. Minor will show you how to make a pineapple upside-down
282 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
cake today" is much better than "Mrs. Minor's program fea-
tures household hints and recipes."
Being Timely
This principle is closely allied with the preceding one. Promoting the individual features of a specific broadcast is
superior to vague copy that could apply to any episode in the series. Guest stars are, of course, highly promotable. Cur- rent news and events also should be exploited. Elements of the show that tie into headline news of the day make excel- lent promotional "hooks." Timeliness in audience promotion can be achieved only through close coordination with the program department, which supplies the necessary up-to-date information.
Sticking to the Point
Copy should never be diluted with subject matter that has no direct connection with the show. One school of copy holds that clever analogous material is good for leading up to the point. This simply is not true in audience promotion copy. One doesn't have to "back in" to the sell. Audience promo- tion copy should clearly state the point and stick to it. Besides the basic elements of who (is in the show), what (is the name of the show), where (is the program broadcast), when (is it broadcast) and how (does one tune it in), the promotion re-
quires only a simple statement or two describing reasons why the listener or viewer will find the show appealing.
Moving People to Action
As mentioned in Chapter 20, it is fundamental that the time of broadcast and the station's dial position be given major prominence in all audience promotion. These are the two elements that tell the reader/viewer/listener what to do
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 283
and when to do it. The time and the channel or frequency number should be closely associated with each other. The ob-
ject is to plant the impression that the advertised show is
available only at 0:00 p.m. only on channel (or dial) 00. Miss
the time or miss the dial location and you've missed the show.
This emphasis is achieved, obviously, by larger type in ad-
vertisements and TV on -the -air promotion and by voice
stress and/or repetition in radio on -the -air promotion. Promotion prepared for each program should reflect the
inherent character of the show. Promotion for a comedy -
variety show has a different "mood" than that for a house-
hold program. A disk-jockey show may be promoted breezily,
but a program of symphonic music should be promoted with dignity. Rather than attempting to make all audience promo-
tion look alike, it is more important to capture the spirit of
the individual show and to make the promotion radiate that
quality to the public. In connection with this point, promotion that reflects the
character of the individual program automatically appeals to
the specific audience that will be interested in the show.
Broadcasts of prize fights should be promoted to fight fans,
kid shows to kids, home shows to housewives. The promotion should be designed to appeal to the individual interests and
tastes of the people who represent the program's greatest
potential audience.
RADIO ON -THE -AIR PROMOTION
Unquestionably the best medium for promoting radio
audiences is radio itself. The audience reached through radio
is (1) known to listen to radio, (2) more likely to be influ-
enced by radio announcements, (3) located in the identical
area where the promoted program can be heard, (4) accu-
284 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
mulatively larger than audiences to other media, (5) avail- able at the lowest cost of any medium.
Every program and station break that is not working for an advertiser should be working for the station. Unsold sta- tion breaks should be used for promotional announcements. Sustaining programs should contain promotional announce- ments. Participating programs should use promotional an- nouncements in their unsold segments. The value of un - sponsored time must not be discounted by letting it go idle. By using these availabilities for promotional purposes, the station can gain larger audiences for commercial shows that will profit sponsors and station alike.
Radio promotional announcements are actually "com- mercials" for programs. Their length corresponds to the types of commercials that advertisers use on the station:
1. Twenty-second station breaks 2. Station -identification announcements 3. One -minute announcements in the body of or between
programs
"Promotionals" may be handled by a separate announcer or by a performer on the program. They are usually read "live," although recorded announcements are also in wide use. On -the -air plugs require a great deal of planning, re- searching, writing, scheduling and trafficking. In planning a week's schedule of announcements, it is preferable to place special emphasis on those programs that are to be "featured" during the week. The selection of the "priority" shows is based on one or more factors: special, attractive features (guest stars, etc.); rating trends; competitive programming; de- sire to build a show or star as a leading attraction; public un- familiarity with a new show; pressures from client or agency for more promotion. New programs are usually given a high
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 285
-
CLIENT
WRITER
TERRE HAUTE, IND.
DATE WRITTEN
INSTRUCTIONS
N B C AFFILIATE
CONTINUITY -P.RAMII.Y..I.DAM.__....r. ----- -. ._
...Ms__.__ __- -__-_.
A FAVORITE RADIO THREE SOME WILL BE REUNITED WHEN MUSTACHIOED JERRY COLONNA
AND MAN -CHASING VERA VAGUE ARE GUEST STARS ON BOB H(PE'S NIGHT TIME PROGRAM
HEARD ON WB(M AND NBC RADIO THIS FRIDAY AT 7:30. THE SHIP HOUR COMEDY SHOW
WILL FIND ROPE SPENDING A FEW DAYS VACATION IN PALM SPRINGS, WHERE HE IS
NAMED HONORARY MAYOR ER THE DESERT RESORT. HE MEETS HIS OLD FRIENDS JERRY
I COLONNA AND VERA VAGUE. SINGING STAR MARGARET WHITING WILL OFFER "SECRET
LOVE," ACCOMPANIED BY LES BROWN AND HIS BAND OF RENOWN. BE SURE TO LISTEN
TO WONDERFUL BOB HOPE THIS FR/DAY NIGHT AT SEVEN THIRTY ON W90W.
(Announcer: Use time stamp on back of copy Immed4Wy.)
Fig. 18. A Typical "Live" Promotional Announcement (Radio)
priority for their première, followed by relatively heavy pro-
motion during their first few weeks on the air. A special
campaign may be developed to promote individual program
types such as all news programs, all disk-jockey shows, all
sports broadcasts. The programming of an entire evening
286 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
might be the basis for a campaign. Whatever the device, the air promotion must have a specific objective. There should be a definite reason for the number of plugs allocated to each show.
Before promotional announcements are written, the pro- grams must be "researched." Some sort of workable pipeline between the program and promotion departments should be established so that the most attractive features of each show can be incorporated into the promotion copy. The effective- ness of air plugs depends largely upon the specific informa- tion given about the programs.
The writer of promotional announcements should be familiar with the techniques of radio writing. He must write, not for the eye, but for the ear. Every line must "sound" well. His job is to inform, and to sell the listener on the desirability of hearing the program. In order to be convinc- ing, promotional copy must give the listener specific reasons why a program warrants his attention. In so far as possible the principles outlined in the preceding section should be followed: gain attention, glamourize the program, be specific and timely, stick to the point and ask for action.
A stop -watch is a basic tool of the writer. Each announce- ment must be written exactly for the alloted period. Each must be timed by the writer, and the copy must be adjusted for the exact number of seconds available.
Recorded announcements offer many advantages that are impossible to duplicate with live promotionals. Through the use of transcriptions, a star can plug his show at any time during the day or night. Interesting recorded announcements can be produced by using music and sound effects. Two or more persons may participate in dialogue. Excerpts from programs make excellent recorded plugs. The scope of re- corded announcements is as unlimited as the production fa-
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 287
cilities of radio itself. Obviously, a great deal more time is
necessary to produce recorded announcements, but it is time well spent.
Like an agency time -buyer, the promotion department schedules on -the -air announcements from the station's list of availabilities. Also like the time -buyer, a number of factors
should govern the scheduling of each spot. Important consid-
erations are: (1) the specific audience appeal of the promoted program, (2) the quantity and composition of the audience available, (3) possible product conflict between the sponsor of the promoted show and sponsors of programs surround- ing the promotional announcement and (4) the possibilities of building a large cumulative audience by scheduling spots in widely separated broadcasting periods. In so far
as possible, promotionals should be scheduled adjacent to programs whose audiences might reasonably be expected to be interested in the promoted show. (Don't promote a cook-
ing program after a kid show, for example.) The spots for each program should be scheduled skillfully to reach the right kind of audience and the largest cumulative audience and to avoid conflict between products advertised on the promoted show with those on programs adjacent to the promotionals.
Every station has a routine traffic procedure for getting scheduled promotional announcements on the air. This is
usually handled through the traffic department, although in some cases the promotion writer may actually place his copy
in the announcers' books. Possibly the most dramatic form of radio on -the -air pro-
motion is the promotional program, a regularly scheduled show, 5, 10, or 15 minutes in length, devoted to news and in-
formation about the station's programs. An emcee or nar-
rator on a promotional program can take his listeners "be-
hind the scenes" of the station. He can interview the stars,
288 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
discussing what is in store for the next show. He may preview upcoming programs through the use of tapes extracted from recorded shows or cut during rehearsals of live shows. He may play recordings of selections scheduled for musical shows. He may give "inside tips" on the next episode of a dramatic series. He may employ an audience participation format, quiz- zing members of the studio audience about the station's pro- grams. Any number of imaginative ideas can be incorporated into a promotional program. If handled with showmanship, the promotional program can be one of the best audience - building devices.
Guest appearances of stars on other programs is another effective on -the -air promotion project. The interchange of talent between programs provides exposure of the talent to new audiences of varying types. "Guest shots" provide excel- lent opportunities for discussing the guest stars' programs and plans for future shows. The appearance of guest talent on several shows can accumulate mounting audience -interest in their own shows.
A planned and coordinated on -the -air promotion campaign is recommended for every radio station. Emphasis should al- ways be on the informational content of the announcements, for merely airing a "plug" does not necessarily mean that the listener's interest will be aroused. As in every other form of promotion, it is what you say that counts.
TELEVISION ON -THE -AIR PROMOTION
Possibly the most exciting and challenging medium of audience promotion is television on -the -air promotion. Much has been accomplished in this area during the short seven- year history of television promotion. A great deal more can and will be accomplished, for the surface has barely been scratched. The potentialities of television air promotion are
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 289
almost limitless. Here is one sphere where the imaginative promotion man with a flair for innovation can really operate. It is still too early for this medium to have become saddled with routine methods. The field is wide open for creative ideas and inventiveness.
The following technical devices may be used for television on -the -air promotion:
1. Telops (or balops) with live voice over 2. Telops (or balops) with recorded announcements 3. Telops without sound 4. Slides with live voice over 5. Slides with recorded announcements 6. Silent -motion -picture film with live narration 7. Motion -picture film with sound track (sound -on -film)
8. Kinescope film trailers 9. Live "on camera" announcements
10. Superimpositions with live voice over 11. Dramatized live "productions"
Telops or balops are the simplest and least expensive method of visualizing an announcement on television. For a single announcement, one or several telops may be used. For 10 -second station -identification announcements, one or two telops with 12 words of live copy is about the limit. For 20 -second announcements, as many as four or five telops in a
series may be employed to illustrate the live or recorded copy.
In longer announcements, it is almost imperative that several
telops or "flip cards" be used in order to avoid loss of viewer attention. Some stations prefer slides (usually 2 by 2 inches in size) to telops. The principles are the same for both.
Copy and layout for telops or slides should be designed to
gain immediate viewer attention and stimulate a maximum of interest in the promoted program. Layout must be kept
290 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
simple. Artwork that looks beautiful in its original form may appear jumbled and unintelligible on television screens. Copy that appears easily legible on the original telop may be difficult to read on a TV screen. As a general rule, the num- ber of words of copy printed on a telop should be limited to twelve. Type size should not be less than 14 points. The typography on a telop is best if it is simple (gothic or any good sans -serif is preferred.) Such styles as script or Old English suffer loss of legibility in transmission. The artwork for a telop must be determined by its adaptability to television transmission. Line drawings may be expected to transmit more clearly than wash drawings. Simple drawings will gen- erally produce better TV pictures than detailed or complex artwork. Good sharp photographs will normally transmit well if there is a minimum of dark areas. Art with asymmetri- cal lines will reproduce on television screens with apparently better fidelity than perfect geometrical figures. (The most difficult shape to reproduce faithfully is a perfect circle.) The principal elements of a telop should be placed within the central two-thirds of the rectangle. The average home screen distorts the edges of the picture. Some pretty weird images can result from elaborate telop borders.
The only true test of the legibility and appearance of telops or slides is how they look on the screen. It is always advisable to monitor telops or slides through closed circuit before putting them on the air. Distorted images can thus be corrected before they are exposed to the public. "Busy" telops will almost always transmit poorly. Simple, "clean" telops will usually reproduce well.
Telop copy should emphasize the message of the simul- taneous live or recorded audio announcement. The standard copy elements for a promotional telop are: name of show and star, time, day and channel number of the station. These
inah Shore guest
Jack Benny
NBC TONIGHT
Fig. 19. Television Program Promotional Telops 291
292 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
elements practically exhaust the amount of space available for copy on a good telop. In certain cases, however, a brief headline, slogan or descriptive message can be included, provided it doesn't make the telop too "busy" and illegible. The only way to handle lengthy copy is to use several telops in sequence. Cluttering a single telop with too much copy is confusing to the viewer.
The audio message accompanying a telop or slide may be read "live" by an announcer or supplied by a recorded an- nouncement. As in radio air promotion, the copy should be pre -timed to correspond with the allotted number of seconds. The audio copy carries the "sell," the reasons why the pro- moted show will be entertaining. Descriptive information about the program and its stars should be covered by the audio message. The audio copy as well as the telop should contain the time, day and channel number of the program. The combination of video and audio exposure of these es-
sentials will double their remembrance value. Recorded an- nouncements of general nature by local or network stars may be followed by a local live announcement plugging the broad- cast time, day and channel.
In some cases, audio facilities may not be available for promotional announcements, which makes it necessary for the slide or telop to carry the entire message. Although the absence of sound reduces the effectiveness of the promotional, it is not serious enough for the spot to be omitted entirely. The telop, of course, must include the name of show, time, day and channel number and still follow the same principles of simplicity indicated above.
Motion -picture film trailers may be enormously effective in television on -the -air promotion. Their primary drawback is, of course, their cost. Few stations have the time or budget to shoot promotional film trailers locally. Even though studio
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 293
facilities, scenery, staging services, etc., are available at the station, union regulations often forbid the filming of motion pictures in television studios. Going outside the station for facilities becomes rather expensive. Those few stations that have local facilities for kinescope recording have an excellent opportunity for filming promotional announcements in their own studios. But, of course, kinescope recording facilities are rare.
The best sources of promotional film trailers are the net- works and agencies handling network shows. Many fine trailers 20 seconds or more in length are supplied to stations by networks and agencies for local promotional use. They provide impelling dramatic promotion for network shows.
The rarity of facilities for local production of motion - picture promotional announcements would seem to make a detailed discussion of this phase of on -the -air promotion inad- visable. Suffice it to say that, if film trailers are produced locally, they should reflect the spirit, the setting and the con- tent of the promoted show in a way that will attract the most attention from prospective viewers. The same general principles of effective audience promotion outlined earlier are equally applicable to film trailer promotionals.
Live on -camera promotionals may be in several forms: an announcer giving a straight program plug, a star of one pro- gram plugging his own show or other programs, integrated "cross -plugs" between programs, guest appearances of talent, etc. The manner in which each of these devices is handled depends, obviously, upon the content of the promoted pro- gram. Cross -plugging, guest appearances and other live pro- motionals are to be encouraged for their tremendous ex-
posure value. As always, the specific features of the promoted show must be stressed, as well as the time and day of broad- cast and the station's channel number.
294 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
A couple of special devices deserve mention. The video portion of live promotional announcements may utilize su- perimpositions ("supers") for increased emphasis on certain points. "Supers" are transparent telops with copy that is superimposed over the basic artwork. As promotional de- vices, they can be used to stress the name of the show, talent and guests, time and station or any other important informa- tion that needs underlining.
Dramatized live promotional announcements are the rarest kind of all. They offer the greatest possibilities for spectacu- lar impact, but are extremely costly and time consuming. In this unusual form of air promotion, a one -minute live "pro- duction" previews a forthcoming show or dramatizes the con- tent of a typical broadcast.
The planning, researching and writing of television on -the - air promotion, with the following exceptions, is similar to that of radio as described on page 284. Television air pro- motion, being written for the eye as well as the ear, must always have visual as well as audible appeal. The two must be synchronized for maximum effect. The visual illustration of the words spoken must add emphasis and interest to the message. Television promotion writers must always anticipate the visualization of their copy as well as its sound. Rough sketches of video panels (story -boards) should accompany the audio copy for written promotionals, to insure that the artist's visual treatment will correspond to the spoken copy.
The scheduling of TV promotionals is much like that of radio, but trafficking has a little more complexity. The pro- motion department should be familiar with operational traffic problems, so that the scheduling of different types of promotionals can be coordinated with the traffic that each type of equipment must handle. The procedure of routing telops, slides, live copy, film trailers, etc., into the proper
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Fig. 20. Telop and "Live" Announcement Copy for Voice-Over-Telop Promotional Announcement
295
296 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
channels for broadcast is, of course, established with the re- sponsible operational personnel.
NEWSPAPER AND LOCAL MAGAZINE ADVERTISING
Next to on -the -air promotion, newspaper advertising is the most used and most useful medium for promoting pro- gram audiences. As indicated in Chapter 20, newspaper ad- vertising as a companion medium to on -the -air promotion will give an audience promotion campaign better -rounded coverage. Local magazine advertising, too, may play an im- portant role in the over-all audience campaign. Although there are few opportunities for local magazine advertising of radio programs, the various local television program -guide magazines offer the television station an excellent promo- tional medium.
Advertising radio and television programs in newspapers and magazines should also be based upon the six primary audience promotion principles: (1) gaining attention, (2) glamourizing the program, (3) being specific, (4) being timely, (5) sticking to the point and (6) moving people to action. Employment of these principles (which are discussed on pages 279-283) will create the framework for effective copy and layout.
One must never lose sight of the simple objective of each ad: convincing the reader to tune in a program. The sim- plicity of the objective implies simplicity of approach. Such is the case. The reader really needs only one good reason for tuning in a show. If an ad offers him one reason, convincingly, it serves its purpose. It is not necessary to give a lot of details to sell people on such a minute thing (to them) as tuning in a radio or TV show. Turning a receiver dial requires little effort, so there is little "sales resistance." As long as the pro- gram sounds "interesting" to the reader, he will tune in.
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 297
Avoid getting involved in extraneous material that does not keep in focus the fact that all you really want is for the
reader to tune in a program. Each newspaper or magazine ad must include the follow-
ing elements: Name of the program (or programs) Name of the star (or stars) Time of broadcast Day of broadcast Dial position or channel number Station call letters
In addition, a brief line or two of "teaser" copy that de-
scribes an attractive feature or two on the show should nor- mally complete the ad copy. If this descriptive copy cannot be specific, there's no point in using it. A collection of adjec-
tives without concrete substance is meaningless. ("An uproar- ious, hilarious half-hour of fun and mirth" is a rather involved way of saying that the show is funny.) Such lines contribute little to the audience -attracting ability of the ad. Specific
information, on the other hand, will encourage the reader to tune in: "Bob will model some of the riotous new crea-
tions in spring hats"; "Mary sings `Body and Soul' and 'Star-
dust,' "; "Mrs. Hovey demonstrates an easy way to remove stains from rugs"; "Bill introduces new recordings of songs
from `Porgy and Bess,' "; "Pat's guest star will be Carl Erskine, pitcher of the Brooklyn Dodgers." In each case the reader is
given one brief, specific reason for tuning in. The size of newspaper and magazine advertisements, of
course, depends upon budgetary considerations. The relative importance of the event is also a determinate factor in the amount of space assigned to individual advertisements. The première of a program of major importance might call for large, dominating advertisements. The launching of new fall
298 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
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programming might be an occasion for full pages. Usually, however, station program ads of 250 lines or 300 lines should gain satisfactory readership and attention. Tune -in ads of 50, 60 or 70 lines are entirely acceptable. Many small -space ads make up in frequency of impressions what they may lack in individual impact. As a rule, ten 60 -line ads will gain more accumulated readership than one 600 -line ad. A consistent
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 299
campaign of small -space advertising is to be preferred over sporadic use of large ads, which leaves a vacuum for weeks in between.
Many stations have entered into reciprocal arrangements with local newspapers exchanging station time for newspaper space. Other stations forbid "trade deals" by policy. If the station has a sufficient amount of open time, reciprocal time - for -space exchanges would appear to be mutually advan- tageous to station and newspaper. Both can enjoy circulation - building promotion at relatively little out-of-pocket cost to either.
TRANSIT ADVERTISING
Among the several supplementary media for promoting sta- tion programs is transit advertising. Under this general classi- fication falls: car cards, bus cards and posters, taxi posters, posters at train and bus stations, ads in commuter -schedule folders and, in rare cases, transit radio. Posters and card de- signs for transit advertising should be colorful and arresting. The copy should be brief enough to register an impression even if it is given only a fleeting glance. Descriptive copy may be used for cards in buses and cars, where there is a cap- tive audience, but exterior posters on taxis or buses are neces- sarily limited to a few words of copy in large type. Transit advertising's value lies in its multiplicity of impressions. Its impact and memorability factors are less impressive. Although a large poster may appear more dramatic than a few type- written words of radio copy, the poster's impact on prospec- tive listeners is not comparable to the strength of radio. As an adjunct to the primary promotion media of the station, however, transit advertising may serve a worth- while purpose.
300 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
Outdoor advertising is a spectacular device for "glamouriz- ing" programs and stars. Large billboards in key traffic loca-
tions offer an enormous potential of advertising impressions. In outdoor advertising, art and layout play the dominant role. Copy, of necessity, must be restricted to a few words plus a signature. Attractively produced billboards can add dramatic excitement to local programs. They offer radio sta-
tions the additional value of promoting automobile radio listening.
One astute outdoor advertising plan, used successfully by
several stations, informs motorists of the station dial position as soon as its coverage area is entered. Billboards or road signs are spotted along each highway entering the station's re-
ception area, advising the motorist to tune his car radio to
the station's frequency.
WINDOW DISPLAYS
Attractive window and lobby displays promoting the sta-
tion's programs is still another audience -building instru- ment. Favorite locations are the show windows of local stores, hotel and club lobbies and the station's own marquee and lobby. Inexpensive displays can be arranged through the use
of photographs of stars and simple copy panels printed by
"hot press." More elaborate three-dimensional displays may be constructed by local commercial display firms.
CONTESTS, STUNTS AND GIMMICKS
Public excitement can be built for the station's programs by staging special listener or viewer contests. Local com-
munity stunts, street parades, sound trucks, etc., may also con-
tribüte to gaining attention. On -the -air offers of prizes or
HOW TO BUILD STATION AUDIENCES 301
novelties are other devices. As a general rule, exploitation stunts should be used discriminately. Space in this book does
not permit an expanded discussion of this specialized field.
OUTSIDE SOURCES OF AUDIENCE PROMOTION MATERIAL
For the physical preparation of local audience promotion materials, other than those written and produced at the sta-
tion, the promotion manager coordinates with local art studios, photoengravers, commercial printing firms and the various advertising media. Promotional material for network programs is normally supplied to the station by the network's promotion department. Material for promoting transcribed radio shows or syndicated television film programs usually is
provided by the company supplying the program.
CHAPTER 24
How to Put a Station on the Map
For each of the following cities, name the first radio station that comes to mind?
Cincinnati Schenectady Salt Lake City Omaha Des Moines Atlanta Jacksonville San Antonio Fargo Baltimore Minneapolis Nashville
The stations you have listed have succeeded in putting themselves on the map. Each station you named has implanted its call letters indelibly on your mind. The mere mention of radio in connection with their cities makes you think of these stations first. Now, translate the impression these sta-
tions have made on you to the impressions they have made on national advertisers and agencies, and you have one of the keys to abundant national billings. The stations that have established themselves firmly as the number one buys in their markets are remembered first, considered first, bought first. They are on the map.
This chapter is not intended for the station that is already on the map, for their battle for national recognition has been won. It may be helpful, though, to the station whose call letters invite quizzical "Who he?" reactions along Madison Avenue.
302
HOW TO PUT A STATION ON THE MAP 303
How did the stations you named above become universally known? Simply by building a solid operation that would be profitable to advertisers and then promoting, promoting, pro- moting. Cincinnati has several fine stations other than the one you happened to think of first. So does Baltimore. So does
Nashville. Some of the stations you named are not even the top -rated stations in their market. But that number one "feeling" predominates, nevertheless. These stations have not kept their accomplishments to themselves. They have told them to the advertising world. Modesty, an admirable virtue in people, is an unprofitable trait for radio and television stations.
In a well-known northeastern market, the best-known sta-
tion ranks third in coverage and third in program ratings. Yet its billings top those of all its competitors. Among the other stations in this market, one has exceptionally high prestige among local listeners. Ask a national time -buyer about this station, though, and the chances are he will never have considered using it. One station has fumbled hundreds of thousands of dollars of national billings by its failure to "get on the map," while in the same market, another station with less audience and less coverage easily manages to get on most national spot lists.
How does a station gain top recognition in its market? First of all, it has to have the desire to get on the map. Then the management must be willing to spend money, time and
energy over a long period of time in order to reach the top. The entire staff must be dedicated to the long-range objec-
tive. Engineers will work out technical improvements. Pro-
gram people will develop original, attention -provoking pro-
gramming innovations. The sales department will go after success stories and develop attractive sales plans and sales
ideas with national appeal. The research man will originate
304 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
new surveys. The publicity and promotion departments will pull out the stops to inform the trade about all of these ac- tivities.
A station cannot thrive on huckstering alone. The substance of the things that are promoted is the criterion for success. It is, consequently, wasteful to embark on a big national pro- motion campaign before the foundation is laid. The founda- tion must be made up of solid, undeniable values that will appeal to the advertiser.
The national advertising trade is built on ideas. It is true that comptometers whir constantly in the big ad shops and account men carry program -rating pocket pieces and media departments do a lot of arithmetic. But take away creative ideas and advertising doesn't exist. Being in the idea business, nothing interests the advertising trade more than new ideas. One new idea that captures the imagination of the trade can win more recognition for a radio or television station than all the figures, charts, graphs and maps ever printed. The station that really gets on the map is the one that comes up with good, sound, heretofore unheard-of ideas.
Obviously, it takes inventiveness on the part of the station to develop new ideas, worthy of national trade recognition. It takes courage to announce something that has never been tried before. But if an idea is basically sound, if it has enough trade -appeal, and if it is truly a completely new departure in advertising, it can literally set the trade on its ear. Ever so often a station comes up with such a dramatic innovation, and the resulting publicity and conversation is fabulous. WNBC did it with "Chain Lightning." WLW did it with its "Merchandisable Area." WFIL, Philadelphia, did it with its single rate for day and nighttime radio. KJBS, San Fran- cisco, did it with its challenge for a universal rating service. This is the "shock treatment" method of making a dent in the
HOW TO PUT A STATION ON THE MAP 305
trade fast. With the proper follow-through, the recognition gained for a station through the announcement of a dramatic, new idea can be parlayed into a permanent niche on the na-
tional scene. A worthy objective such as this, of course,
doesn't come easy. But the invaluable results that await a
pioneering station more than justify the mighty effort
required. Trade -shaking new ideas are the quickest way to capture
the trade's fancy, but there are many other approaches that can produce equally impressive results.
One exceptionally effective technique for pushing a station into the consciousness of national buyers is well -written, intel-
ligent, consistent trade publication advertising. The space
need not be large, but the copy must be such that it "plays
back" the things that interest national accounts. Above all,
the ads must appear regularly, preferably on the same page
or in the same section of each issue of the publication. WIND, Baltimore, has become well known throughout the trade by
its week -in week -out small -space advertising in a trade paper. WCHS, Charleston, West Virginia, is famous for its little homespun ads by-lined by "Algy." WDAY, Fargo, North Dakota, is universally associated with its fabulous hayseed
farmer, as is KMBC, Kansas City, with its "Heart of America" caricatures. WSPD's "Speedy" is another.
Any one of these station's ads standing alone would not necessarily produce results, but the everlasting regularity of them has carved a lasting impression on national buyers.
Over the years, the intelligent use of trade advertising can
establish immeasurable values for the station. In dozens of
U. S. cities, the field is wide open for an alert, aggressive
radio or television station to move in and make a solid impres-
sion on the trade. Many, many markets have never been firmly
identified with any one station. The opportunity awaits the
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(Courtesy of WJW, Cleveland, Ohio, and WSPD, Toledo, Ohio) Fig. 22. Station "Personality" Advertisements in National Trade Magazines
306
HOW TO PUT A STATION ON THE MAP 307
wide-awake station with the foresight and patience to see a
long-term campaign through. The personality of a station may be revealed through the
style of copy employed in its advertising. Examples are copy
in the style of a Southern Colonel, a New England Yankee,
a Texas Texan. In the hands of an amateur, though, these
devices can get pretty tedious. The more subtle (and better) approaches are sophisticated copy for a serious music station, breezy copy for a disk-jockey station, "excitement" copy for
the aggressive station with a new sales idea, conservative and dignified copy for the station having long-standing prestige. Promotion managers should size up the personalities of their stations and direct their advertising to mirror those personali- ties to the trade. Any unique quality about the station, about the market or about the region may be the springboard for a
"personality" campaign. Almost every station has some in-
dividual characteristic that is promotable. The value of ex-
ploiting this unique quality is obvious. If the station's "personality" is known, the station is "on the map."
A more impressive voice than trade publications is, of
course, the station's national spot representative. The rep can put a station on the map. All that is needed to accomplish
this objective is close coordination of effort, impressive sales
ammunition from the station and all-out service and backing of the rep. Of course, the spot representative must have high
trade prestige before it can gain recognition for its stations. Assuming that the station has the benefit of a well-known
spot rep, several specific actions may be taken to boost the station's stock in the trade. The first step is to sell the station to the rep. National spot salesmen who are impressed with a station's operations cannot help but impart their convictions to their contacts. Supplying the salesmen with complete data on the station and providing them with fast, efficient service
308 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
will gain the sort of reputation that stimulates enthusiastic representation. Such enthusiasm is contagious. In time, hun- dreds of national buyers will be fully acquainted with the sta- tion's values.
Little gestures often pay dividends among national spot salesmen. Gifts that are typical of a station's area are always well received. Small gifts to individual spot salesmen for important orders show the station's appreciation for their efforts. A note expressing gratitude for a salesman's accom- plishments is always welcome.
Entertaining the spot salesmen at the station is an excellent way to acquaint them with the market, the station operation, talent, equipment, etc.
Through coordination with the national representative any one of a number of special events may be staged that can gain trade recognition for the station. Here are a few:
Cocktail Parties or Luncheons. New York, Chicago and other advertising centers are pretty well saturated with cock- tail parties and business luncheons, but if a station has a sufficiently important purpose, national buyers will turn out for such occasions.
Management Calls. The station manager or sales manager can assist the spot salesmen materially by making personal calls with them on national buyers. The association of a sta- tion with its management helps to make a lasting impression on the buyer.
Talent Calls. Personal contact between station talent and national buyers can be effective, provided the talent is per- sonable and capable of handling themselves intelligently with advertisers.
Special Presentations. Dramatic motion -picture or slide presentations given to national accounts may be rewarding,
HOW TO PUT A STATION ON THE MAP 309
provided an important story (from the buyer's point of view) is told in an interesting and/or entertaining manner.
Visits to the Station. Some stations invite groups of buyers to their city for a day's visit. Actually the cost of transporta- tion, entertainment and other expenses is small compared to
the benefits derived from the buyer's personal observation of
the station and the market. These events offer wonderful opportunities to "showcase" the station's talent. Perhaps most valuable of all is the establishment of closer personal ties between the buyer and the station's management.
Skillfully used, direct mail can help to make a name for the station on the national scene ... not necessarily a lot of
direct mail, but mailers that are attention -getters. Mailing pieces may expand on the sales points of greatest import ad-
vanced through the station's national representative and through its trade advertising. Booklets on a new sales plan, a new merchandising service, a new rate policy are examples. Announcements of new talent or a new programming struc- ture are good subjects for mailing pieces. Increases in power, advances in ratings, new sales success stories are others. Any and all efforts in direct mail, however, must be significant enough to the buyer to warrant his attention. If the subject is truly important, direct mail will add fuel to the flames.
But no station will gain recognition through "throw-aways"
that are discarded without being shown to the buyer. As a rule, novelties are a rather fruitless way to impress
national accounts, but there are plenty of exceptions to dis-
prove the rule. One midwestern station has built a reputation for its screwball mailings to agencies. If the gimmick is good,
if it logically ties in to the sales message, it may get the
desired result. If the device is an entirely new one, its novelty
value alone can register. But standard accessories like
310 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
mechanical pencils, blotters, paperweights, calendars, desk pads, etc., somehow get lost in the shuffle. If gimmicks are used, make them good.
Useful gifts to buyers that are representative of the station's area are usually well received-gifts like oranges from Florida, pralines from Louisiana, pecans from Georgia, clams from New England, figs from California. Useless gifts are not- things like little cotton bales, miniature antennas, busts of station managers or paperweights of the station's trade -mark.
The projection of the station's "personality" on the national scene is a highly rewarding method of promotion. It is human nature to remember personalities better than inanimates or intangibles. A station's identity should be tied up with a tangible idea.
A station's personality may be centered around its general manager or sales manager. The ebullient, gregarious station manager can win a lot of friends through personal contacts on Michigan Boulevard and Madison Avenue. The highly intelligent and efficient operator becomes a symbol of his station's strength to buyers with whom he is acquainted. Many national agency people speak fondly of "Bill Brown's station" or "Tom Green's operation." The close tie between the personality of the general manager and his station is a rela- tionship that impresses buyers. The station should have a good "front man" in the national trade to "personalize" the station and its services.
Other devices may be used to "personalize" the station, but few will be as effective as the personal contact of station execu- tives and the consistent promotion of the station's personality through the trade press.
Obviously, the objective of all national trade promotion is to win friends with money to spend. Every effort is dedicated to cast a favorable light on the station, so that the national
HOW TO PUT A STATION ON THE MAP 311
buyer will become convinced of its merits. But, before the buyer can even consider a station, he must know it by name. The station must sell its call letters to the trade.
In discussing audience promotion, much stress was placed on identifying the station by dial position or channel number. In national sales promotion, this does not hold. The all- important identification of call letters is the key to recogni- tion on the national scene. Before any lasting impression can be made on the national trade, the station's call letters must be known and associated with its market. The station intent on "cracking" the national advertising market should begin by selling its call letters.
How are call letters sold? There's only one answer: exposure. Constant repetition of the call letters in ads, in direct mail, in trade publicity on the lips of national spot salesmen will do it. The call letters are made synonymous with the market. A consistent, well -planned and well -executed campaign, focused on the station's call letters and its market, becomes inescapable to the national advertising buyer. The more frequent the exposure, the more quickly the station will become known. Sporadic ads or publicity stories won't accomplish the goal. A concentrated, repetitious campaign will. Few buyers will make an effort to memorize the call letters of "lesser" stations. Those stations must promote themselves into the consciousness of national buyers through incessant exposure of their call letters. This is one form of promotion where repetition ad nauseam can be profitable. Most people will not be annoyed by seeing the call letters of a
station so often. So, expose those call letters. And get on the map!
Thus far, we have been concerned with the methods of gaining national recognition for a station. Added to this methodology must be psychology, the art of knowing what
312 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
to say ... and what not to say. One does not write to Madison Avenue as he writes to a local account. The national account and the local account require entirely different psychological approaches. It is easy, for example, to wax enthusiastic about a market to the people who live in it. Local businessmen respond favorably to the glorification of their own city. It may be the greatest city in the country to them. But you'll never sell that idea to the national advertiser. The national account has a business interest in hundreds of markets, little emotional interest in any of them. The national advertiser is not even mildly impressed by local chauvinism. His concern is with the population, the wealth, the quality of the market, as it compares with dozens of other similar markets in which his product is distributed. He can be sold best by focusing attention on the value of the area as a potential market place for his product. One of the most neglected rules of national sales promotion is the failure to recognize the psychological divergence between the national advertiser and people in one's own community.
A review of page 269 is appropriate at this point. Attention to the specific information that a national advertiser con- siders important will result in an intelligent and knowledge- able promotional approach. The content of the messages directed to the national trade must reflect an understanding of the nature and scope of the national advertiser's widespread interests. This is as true for a simple sales letter as for a major campaign.
If station executives are well acquainted with national sales problems, their promotion will be realistic. Each sales call on national accounts will develop a closer understanding of what is "right" in national promotion. The savoir-faire absorbed through personal contact with national accounts should be conveyed to those who are responsible for writing the station's
HOW TO PUT A STATION ON THE MAP 313
national promotion. No one can write intelligently to a mysterious race of people. And mysterious is the word for national advertisers, if the writer has no knowledge of what interests them, what bores them, what they like, what they dislike. The entire basis for making a prominent mark on the national scene is founded on understanding the distinctive characteristics of national advertising.
Now for a few don'ts. These approaches are poison to the majority of national advertising and agency people. The only recognition to be gained by using them is a lamentable recognition.
Don't be smart (WXXX knows all the answers.)
Don't be ridiculous ("You can't afford not to advertise in
Muddy Flat, Idaho.")
Don't be naive ("The best station in the best town in upper Saskatchewan.")
Don't overplay the insignificant ("WXXX-TV star awarded local Chamber of Commerce citation.")
Don't be verbose ("Among all the television stations in the Piedmont Region, one station has demonstrated faith- ful service to community life for nearly five years, a record of achievement unequaled in the history of this rich, agricultural region.") Don't be. unrealistic ("Call or wire today for information on Sophie's Sofa on WXXX.")
Don't be corny ("We have one aim in life, the aim to please our audience.")
Before establishing the copy approach for a national trade campaign, try it out on the key executives of your national representatives. Solicit their opinions of the reaction your approach will receive in the trade. Your promotion is ad-
314 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
dressed to their contacts. Make certain you are talking in their language. A good test of national promotion copy is this: Would your national rep say the same things to an agency account executive in person? If so, you are "slanted" right. If not, a careful re-examination of the approach is much better than blundering into what might prove to be an ineffective, if not actually an embarrassing, campaign.
During the next few years, dozens of new ideas will be born in radio and television that will help to establish na- tional fame for many stations. No one knows who will come up with the ideas or what they will be. But the alert station with a restlessness for new concepts is headed in the right direction. Stations that are relative unknowns today will be universally accepted by national advertisers five years from now. Other stations, suffering from inertia and lethargy, will slowly fade from national prominence. Especially in tele- vision, the relative position of stations will be shifted by new ideas, new developments, new concepts. And in radio, as television competition, spurred on by color, becomes more intense, some stations will have to bow out of the race, caught in the web of anonymity. The strong radio stations and the most successful television stations will be those that have energetically pursued new ideas in programming, in sales, in promotion. They will have built a solid reputation among both local and national accounts, and kept it. The tragedy of the next few years will be the failure of stations to apply to their own operations the very principle that motivates their sponsors to advertise: producing a good product and promot- ing it well.
Any station with foresight has the opportunity today to put itself on the map. The results accruing from a dedicated effort in this direction will be not only improved profits for the present, but insurance for the future. The stations that
HOW TO PUT A STATION ON THE MAP 315
recognize this very real opportunity and do something about it can have a brilliant and profitable future. In ever-changing industries like radio and television, challenges are always present. The stations on tomorrow's "map" will be those that accepted today's challenge and purposefully went about the business of building the finest operations. And along every step of the way, they will have made certain that their accom- plishments have been promoted ... forcefully, intelligently, consistently.
CHAPTER 25
Selling and Promoting Color Television
The Federal Communications Commission's authorization of standards for the commercial transmission of color tele- vision marked December 17, 1953, as one of the most historic dates of the twentieth century. After thirteen years of re- search, development and experimentation, the miracle of color television had finally reached the threshold of reality as an advertising medium. Happily for the twenty-six million owners of television sets and for the manufacturing and broadcasting industries, the standards approved by the FCC were for the all -electronic, compatible color system under which existing sets could receive color programs in black and white.
Scores of stations are already equipped to transmit color programs. It is probably safe to say that practically all stations will eventually have facilities for color broadcasting. And, of
course, as television manufacturers expand color receiver production, broadcasters will enjoy proportionately larger color audiences, which in turn will increase the commercial appeal of the medium. The enthusiastic reception of chro-
matic television by advertiser, broadcaster and the public alike has been almost universal. A magnificent challenge is
316
SELLING AND PROMOTING COLOR TELEVISION 317
in store for those whose future is tied to this latest creation of man's genius.
Color television is not, in the strictest sense, a new adver- tising medium. It is rather a new dimension added to an exist- ing medium. As a matter of fact, up until December 1953, television was the only visual advertising medium without color facilities. To the magazine, newspaper, direct mail, out- door, and transit media, color advertising has been common- place for a long time. While color television is definitely an electronic miracle, it is hardly an advertising miracle. Adver- tisers expect to promote their products in color. If television adds the dimension of color as other media have done, its over-all impact on potential customers is magnified accord- ingly. That is the basic appeal of color television to adver- tisers: increased commercial effectiveness of an already dy-
namic advertising medium. From the point of view of the television audience, color
television will be in time a taken -for -granted thing. True, the public's initial reaction can be expected to be overwhelm- ing. The appearance of color on the home screen is breathtak- ing at first. But after the novelty has faded, the program, not the hue of its picture, will determine its approval or disap- proval by the audience. Similarly, the effectiveness of com- mercials will depend more upon the basic content of the material, rather than upon how the material is tinted. A bad color show won't reach as large an audience as a good black - and -white show. A bad color commercial won't sell as many goods as a good black -and -white commercial. To the sales-
man and promotion man the moral is obvious: color television cannot long be sold by the spectrum alone. In time, color must be sold as black -and -white is now sold: with showman- ship, imagination, facts and understanding of the advertiser's objectives.
318 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
This is not to say that the excitement inherent in launch- ing color television in a market should not be encouraged. It should be. But one should keep his sights on the long-range sales problem, recognizing that the novelty of color television will eventually give way to a businesslike appraisal of it as an advertising medium. The understandable enthusiasm of a salesman for color should not reduce his confidence in black - and -white. The station will thrive on business from black - and -white television advertising for many years after color has been introduced. Advertisers will continue to buy circula- tion. Black -and -white television circulation will exceed color circulation for a long time. Advertisers who buy color in its earliest stages will not suffer a loss of circulation, for although the audience watching color sets will be small, the audience viewing the same program in black -and -white should be as large as ever. So, since most of the audience will be watching black -and -white commercials, the salesman must be cognizant that most of the advertiser's results will be derived from the black -and -white audience. Emotionally, both the salesman and his client may be preoccupied with the color broadcast. Economically, the black -and -white version of the broadcast is the most important.
It is probable that even when color television circulation has reached saturation proportions, some advertisers may still use black -and -white television (which, of course, may be seen in black -and -white on color receivers). The cost differ- ential between color and black -and -white may induce the small budget advertisers to prefer the latter. Although color television will be the most impressive of the two, black -and - white's lower cost will undoubtedly find receptive advertisers. The presence or absence of color should not influence the basic effectiveness of television advertising, per se.
It is common practice today for advertisers to compare the
SELLING AND PROMOTING COLOR TELEVISION 319
(r.owtery of rsC, New York) Fig. 23. A Color Tele3oision Studio
readership and effectiveness of color and black -and -white ad- vertisements in magazines on a cost -per -thousand basis. In some cases black -and -white ads deliver more readers per dol- lar. It is not inconceivable that similar comparisons may be made between black -and -white and color television. It is not inconceivable that similar results may occur. Color television
320 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
will probably always be the predominant electronic medium for influencing people. But it won't be the only one.
THE ADVERTISER'S EXPERIMENTATION IN COLOR TELEVISION
To the advertiser, intriguing and exciting as color TV may be, in its early stages, it offers him little immediate advertising value. The color audience is negligible. There is apparently no reason for paying a premium to reach a handful of people with color pictures. Realizing this, some stations have pro- vided initial advertisers with experimental color broadcasts at no extra charge above their regular costs for black -and - white. As in every advertising medium, the premium attached to color will be geared to the expansion of color set circula- tion. Despite the lack of any immediate advertising value in color TV, advertisers generally will be anxious to gain ex-
perience early in order to pave the way for more effective commercial use of color in the future.
Good color TV commercial production requires a consider- able amount of experimentation. The potentialities and limitations of the medium must be thoroughly understood by the advertiser if he is to use color most advantageously. During the experimental period, the advertiser will become acquainted with the problems of transmitting his package in color, the use of backgrounds, complementary and "clashing" color combinations, the problems of picture depth, the use
of color in films and slides and many other technical problems. The best time for an advertiser to learn the technical aspects
of color commercials is early, before there are many receivers around to pick up his "experiments."
Some advertisers may find, for example, that their current package is unattractive on color television. If color TV is to become a major factor in the promotion of that package, it should be redesigned. A new "colorgenic" package can then
SELLING AND PROMOTING COLOR TELEVISION 821
be substituted early enough to become established in the public recognition before color TV set circulation becomes too large. If the advertiser waits until color TV is universally in use and then attempts to redesign his package, the public may have difficulty associating the new package with the more familiar old one. Early experimentation in color commercials can help to resolve package problems soon enough to enjoy the full benefits of color TV when it has developed a large audience.
Early experimentation will also be less costly. Most stations will practically "give away" their first color commercials, charging little, if any, premium above the standard black - and -white rates. Later, when set circulation begins to increase, advertisers will have to pay proportionately higher rates. The later an advertiser enters color, the more his "color edu- cation" will cost. This point should appeal to many adver- tisers during color's embryonic stages.
The publicity value inherent in an advertiser's being first in color television is obvious. His prestige will benefit accord- ingly. Certain companies are proud of their progressive, far- sighted approach to advertising. Color television is for them. The opportunity to be the first department store, the first car dealer, the first grocery, the first beer on color TV is an at- tractive competitive advantage for such advertisers. This is another exploitable point for the color station.
One of the most valuable assets of color TV advertising during its developmental period is the establishment of a fran- chise for the future. Much has been said about the value of franchises in radio and, more recently, in television. Im- portant though these may be, there is no franchise in all ad- vertising comparable to the permanent establishment of a choice time period on color television. A top period in color will eventually become a gold mine, envied by dozens of ad- vertisers, worth many times its cost. The early color adver-
322 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
tiser can pick up for a relatively small cost a time period that he wouldn't sell for a fortune five years later. The latter-day advertisers will pay just as much for the same amount of time, but theirs will be marginal times, not the top periods. The late -comers will be frozen out of the choicest periods by the early sponsors who have recognized the tremendous oppor- tunity of establishing a color franchise.
The greatest appeal of all is, naturally, the medium itself. Radio lacked pictures. Heretofore, television has lacked color. But with color television, the advertising millenium has ar- rived! For sheer impact color television is incomparable. As color "circulation" expands, obviously its influence will be felt in a proportionately greater degree. The pioneer color television advertiser will profit accordingly.
THE THREE STAGES OF COLOR TV'S
TRANSITIONAL PERIOD
An understanding of the reaction of the public, the local television dealer and the advertiser to color television should establish the basis for developing policies for selling and pro- moting color. Every policy should be tempered by its effect on these three groups as well as its effect on the station. A
definite direction may thus be set for selling during each period of color television's growth.
Color's period of transition can roughly be divided into three stages: (1) the early months when color set circulation is
less than 5 percent of black -and -white set ownership; (2) the middle period during which color set distribution increases from 5 percent to 15 percent of black -and -white's; (3) the "maturing" stage when color is advancing upward from 15
percent saturation. Each period calls for some adjustment in policies, made necessary by the changing positions of the public, the dealers, the advertisers and the station.
SELLING AND PROMOTING COLOR TELEVISION 323
PROMOTING COLOR DURING ITS EARLIEST STAGE
During color television's embryonic stage, the greatest emphasis should be placed on sales and institutional promo- tion. Local and spot advertisers should be encouraged to enter color early, to establish franchises for the future, to gain experience in the use of the new medium, to experiment with commercials, to test color transmission of packages, to enjoy the benefits of low-cost experimentation and to gain prestige. Through the attraction of establishing color franchises, the station has an additional sales point for black -and -white tele- vision. The values of getting into color can lure an advertiser's black -and -white program to the color -equipped station. (Pre- sumably, no station would extend the benefits of color ex- perimentation to advertisers whose black -and -white schedule is on another station.) So, to enjoy the fruits of color, the advertiser is obligated to become a black -and -white advertiser on the station. His transition from black -and -white to color, then, parallels the growth of color set circulation in the market.
It is during the early stages of color that educational work should be conducted among local retail stores. The appetite of many retailers, especially department stores, may be stim- ulated by the unprecedented opportunities offered by the most exciting "show window" in all merchandising.
The introduction of color television to a community is an enormously impressive achievement for the station. The station's prestige is elevated. Rich benefits should accrue to the station's black -and -white operation through its pioneer- ing of color. Advertisers and the public alike will applaud the station's contribution. Greater confidence and respect will be won for the station as a whole. These are highly valuable points for institutional promotion. If handled in good taste, a
324 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
sensible amount of institutional advertising on color TV achievement may be warranted. Nothing big. No sustained campaign. Just an occasional reminder of the station's role in pioneering color. Later, more aggressiveness may be in-
dicated, but during the earliest stage, the subject is best treated with decorum.
The less said about color programming to the public during its initial stage, the better. The reasons are obvious. There is little audience to promote. Plugging a color program to people who cannot see it in color is not only fruitless, it is actually confusing. The first color broadcast of each pro-
gram may be an important event to the station and to the advertiser, but it means absolutely nothing to the home
viewer whose pictures still appear in monochrome. An ad-
vertisement for a color show may actually induce people to
believe that they will see the show in color on their current set. The result: confusion and disappointment. But worse
than the public's reaction to color program promotion is the possible detrimental effect on television dealers' black -and - white sales. A color ad may discourage potential black -and -
white buyers. If the dealers' black -and -white set sales slow up, the station's circulation will level off in the same ratio. Trouble can be created by promoting color programs too
early ... bad public relations, irate dealers, retarded black -
and -white circulation, difficulty in raising black -and -white
time rates. The best advice for audience promotion of color
during its earliest stage is: don't.
PROMOTING AND SELLING COLOR IN ITS
"MIDDLE PERIOD"
When color set ownership has reached about five percent of
the total black -and -white circulation, the station should be
ready to sell color in earnest. The free experimental period
SELLING AND PROMOTING COLOR TELEVISION 325
will have ended. The station will have a bona fide color rate card. Added to the emotional appeal of color advertising will be the first indications of a circulation appeal-and more importantly, a sales appeal. The first sales results achieved by color advertisers will probably be fabulous. The percentage of color set owners influenced by the advertising may well be the highest ratio for any medium in advertising history. The early response to color commercials will make immensely strong sales ammunition for selling new accounts. During its "middle period" color TV will emerge as an unsurpassable advertising medium for sales results, provided, of course, advertisers use it properly.
The "golden" franchise of the early period is worth the Crown Jewels during the "middle period." This is the stage when all, literally all the most desirable time will be sold. Whatever franchise possibilities still exist when five percent color saturation has been reached in the market should be promoted and sold forcefully. They will probably sell quickly, even though color circulation is still only a fraction of total TV set ownership.
As soon as concrete material on circulation and sales results becomes available, the station is prepared to promote color nationally. Pioneer color spot advertisers will be hungry for outlets where there is sufficient circulation, experience and evidence of advertising results to justify their purchase. The color station with an impressive story on these counts will have no difficulty in selling national spot advertisers. As in the national promotion of black -and -white television, color must be promoted with the national advertisers' interests in mind. Of particular interest, incidentally, will be the station's specific facilities for transmitting color film and slides and for producing live commercials.
During the "middle period," the station can justifiably
326 SELLING AND PROMOTING RADIO AND TV
begin to promote color programs to the public. A sufficient number of families will own color receivers to make audience promotion worth while. Nonowners will be sufficiently ed- ucated in the costs and availability of color sets for a minimum of public confusion to result from color show promotion. Also, by this time, television dealers should be relatively well supplied with color receivers, so that their sales volume will be distributed between both color and black -and -white sets. At this stage, station audience promotion activities on color will help to boost the dealer's color set sales. Even though black -and -white set sales may possibly suffer a decline, the compensating sales of color receivers should more than fill the gap.
Unlike the quandary that faced many stations that were (and are) competing with themselves in programming radio and television simultaneously, no such enigma exists between black -and -white and color programming. Accordingly, the same program can be promoted as a color show to the color au- dience and a black -and -white show to the monochrome audience. Whether the audience sees a program in color or not depends upon its individual receiver equipment. The show reaches him regardless.
The audience promotion of color during its "middle period" by stimulating set sales will result in an improved circulation and sales story, pointing toward a profitable economic position for the color television operation.
PROMOTING AND SELLING COLOR TELEVISION
UPON "MATURITY"
After color set circulation has reached about 15 percent of the black -and -white market, color television is approaching "maturity" for all intents and purposes. Mass production of color receivers will have become a reality. Costs should be
SELLING AND PROMOTING COLOR TELEVISION 327
within the reach of the average family. Set sales may then skyrocket. It should not be unusual for a city to jump from 15 percent to 25 percent saturation in a single year. Then, in time, 40 percent, 60 percent, 80 percent of all the families in the area will have color. It is entirely within the realm of possibility that within five to ten years after the "middle period" has been passed, nine out of every ten television families will own a color receiver. Then "television" will actually be "color television."
The exciting possibilities of selling and promoting color television in this millenium are limitless. As the future un- folds, new techniques will emerge, which today are impossible to prophesy. But the ultimate impact of color television on the entire advertising industry is certain to be staggering. Eventually, color television may prove to be the most dom- inating influence in the lives of men everywhere.
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
A "Sales Profile" for Your Station
To bring the sales and promotional values of your station into sharper focus, a point -by -point evaluation of your station and its competitors is recommended. The "Radio Station Sales Check List" which follows, will help to establish the "Sales Profile" of your station compared to other stations in the market. Through compiling all of the information indi- cated on your radio station sales check list, you will know your station and your competitors better than ever before. The salesman and promotion man who is familiar with each of these sales points will be eminently well-equipped for an effective selling and promotional job. He will become ac- quainted with the strength and weaknesses of his own station and his competitors.
Following the radio station sales check list is a similar check list for television stations. The reader is encouraged to complete the appropriate chart for his individual station (radio or television) to establish a clear perspective of his sales and promotional pursuits.
Notwithstanding the fact that completing one of these "sales profiles" will require considerable time and effort, the information developed should pay untold dividends in clari- fying the total picture of the relative advantages and com- petitive challenges of the station most important to you.
331
332 APPENDIX
Sales Check List for Radio Station
(Note: Information on competing stations may not be applicable for certain items. This should not influence the desirability of obtaining as
much data for one's own station as possible.)
COVERAGE 1. Number of homes
area Day Night
2. Number of radio homes in coverage area
Day Night
3. Number of counties covered Day Night
4. Number of important cities covered
Day Night
5. Breadth of coverage (i.e., dis- tance from transmitter to edge of area)
Day Night
6. Number of radio sets in area Day Night
7. Number of homes in primary area
Day Night
8. Number of radio homes in primary area
Day Night
9. Number of counties in primary area
Day Night
10. Number of important cities in primary area
Day Night
Daytime and nighttime coverage area.
in coverage 11. Percent of all homes in total
area covered Day Night
12. Percent of all homes in pri- mary area covered
Day Night
13. Percent of radio homes in total area covered
Day Night
14. Percent of radio homes in pri- mary area covered
Day Night
MARKET DATA* 15. Population 16. Number of families 17. Retail sales 18. Per capita retail sales 19. Per family retail sales 20. Food sales 21. Drug sales 22. Electrical appliance, hard goods
sales 23. General merchandise sales 24. Effective buying income 25. Per capita effective buying
income 26. Per family effective buying
income 27. Number of industrial workers 28. Industrial payroll 29. Farm population 30. Number of farm families 31. Agricultural income 32. College, university enrollment 33. Annual number of vacationers
APPENDIX
MARKET DATA (Cont.) 34. Income from vacationers 35. Number of automobile regis-
trations 36. Estimated number of automo-
bile radios 37. Percent of total state popula-
tion in area 38. Percent of total U. S. popula-
tion in area 39. Percent of total state retail
sales in area 40. Percent of total
sales in area 41. Population rank
tan area in state 42. Retail sales rank
tan area in state 43. Effective buying
of metropolitan or U. S.
U. S. retail
of metropoli - or U. S.
of metropoli - or U. S. income rank area in state
MARKET TRENDS* 44. Percent increase in population
since 19 45. Percent increase in radio
homes since 19 46. Percent increase in retail sales
since 19 47. Percent increase in buying in-
come since 19 48. Percent increase in industrial
payroll since 19 49. Percent increase in agricultural
income since 19 50. Percent increase in automobile
radios since 19
THE STATION 51. Ownership 52. Number of years of service 53. Power 54. Frequency; desirability of fre-
quency 55. Type of channel (clear, re-
gional, local) Metropolitan area or total area.
56.
57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62.
63. 64.
333
Directional or nondirectional antenna Height of transmitting tower Location of transmitter Number of studios Size of studios Number of employees Number of broadcast hours daily Network affiliation Principal awards or citations
PROGRAM AUDIENCE 65. Program rating service used 66. Average daytime rating 67. Average nighttime rating 68. Average number of homes de-
livered -daytime 69. Average number of homes de-
livered -nighttime 70. Average daytime share of audi-
ence 71. Average nighttime share of
audience 72. Number of programs ranking
in top 50% of all rated pro- grams
73. Number of programs ranking in top 10 -daytime
74. Number of programs ranking in top 10 -nighttime
75. Number of programs ranking in top 25 -daytime
76. Number of programs ranking in top 25 -nighttime
77. Number of shows in top 10 locally originated programs
78. Ranking of disk jockey pro- grams
79. Ranking of newscasts 80. Ranking of women's programs 81. Ranking of personality pro-
grams 82. Ranking of sports programs 83. Ranking of musical programs 84. Ranking of farm programs
334 APPENDIX
PROGRAM AUDIENCE (Cont.) 85. Ranking of pro-
grams (Other type)
86. Percent increase or decrease in daytime audience since last year (19 )
87. Percent increase or decrease in nighttime audience since last year (19
88. Percent gain or loss in audience over nearest competitor since last year (19 )
SALES EFFECTIVENESS 89. Total number of sponsors 90. Number of local sponsors 91. Total annual gross billings 92. Annual gross billings of local
accounts 93. Number of clients using station
over 5 years 94. Number of clients using station
over 10 years 95. Number of clients compared to
last year (19 )
96. Billings compared to last year (19 )
97. Number of clients increasing billings in past year
98. Percent of client renewals in past year
99. Evidence of clients' sales suc- cesses
100. Testimonial letters from clients 101. Results of sales effectiveness
surveys
AUDIENCE RESPONSE 102. Total amount of mail received
during month period 103. Average weekly mail count 104. Examples of audience pulled to
stores by special announce- ments
105. Examples of mail response to individual offers
106. Attendance at studio broad- casts
107. Examples of telephone re- sponse
108. Audience drawn to special events (parades, farm demon- strations, etc.)
COSTS 109. Gross nighttime hourly rate 110. Gross daytime hourly rate 111. Percent increase or decrease in
base rates since 19
112. One -minute announcement rate
Night Day
113. Twenty - second station - break rate
Night Day
114. Cost per 1000 homes in cover- age area (/-hour cost divided by number of homes in area)
Night Day
115. Cost per 1000 homes delivered by program (1/2 -hour cost di- vided by number of homes reached by average 1/2 -hour program)
Night Day
116. Cost per 1000 homes delivered by announcements (announce- ment cost divided by number of homes reached by average announcement)
Night Day
117. Homes delivered per dollar (t/ - hour program) (number of homes delivered by average 1/2 -
hour program divided by cost
APPENDIX
COSTS (Cont.) of /-hour program)
Night Day
118. Homes delivered per dollar (announcements) (number of homes delivered by average 1 -
minute or 20 -second announce- ment divided by cost of same)
Night Day
119. Percent increase or decrease in cost per 1000 homes reached by average program since 19
120. Percent increase or decrease in cost per dollar delivered by av- erage program since 19
121. Percent increase or decrease in cost per 1000 homes reached by average announcement since 19
122. Percent increase or decrease in homes per dollar delivered by average announcement since 19
123. Examples of program and/or talent costs
STATION SERVICES 124. Does station offer clients on -
the -air promotion? 125. Does station offer clients news-
paper advertising of programs? 126. Does station offer clients transit
advertising? 127. Does station offer clients out-
door advertising? 128. Does station offer clients win-
dow display? 129. Does station offer clients movie
trailer promotion?
335
130. Does station offer clients other promotion services?
131. Does station offer clients pub- licity services?
132. Does station offer merchandis- ing services?
133. Does station contact clients' dealer organizations?
134. Does station make merchan- dising mailings for clients?
135. Does station provide point -of - sale merchandising support?
136. Does station supply point -of - sale materials?
137. Does station guarantee in-store merchandising?
138. News services provided (AP, UP, INS, etc.)
139. Does station write commercial copy for clients?
140. Transcription services provided 141. Will station make transcribed
announcements for clients? 142. Will station produce drama-
tized commercials? 143. Will station produce musical
jingle commercials? 144. Sound effects services 145. Will talent endorse products? 146. Will talent make in-store ap-
pearances? 147. Will talent perform at dealer
meetings? 148. Will talent travel on behalf of
clients? 149. Can client use talent endorse-
ment on point -of -sale materi- als?
150. Will station do remote broad- casts from clients' store?
Sales Check List for Television Station
(Note: Information on competing stations may not be applicable for certain items. This should not influence the desirability of obtaining as much data for one's own station as possible.)
COVERAGE 1. Number of homes in
area 2. Number of television
coverage area 3. Number of counties covered 4. Number of important cities
covered 5. Percent of TV "saturation"
(number of TV homes divided by number of homes in area)
6. Increase in number of TV homes since last year
7. Percent increase of TV homes since last year
8. Number of UHF installations in area
9. Percent of TV homes equipped to receive UHF
10. Percent of all homes to receive UHF Percent increase in UHF cir- culation since last year
12. Number of new UHF installa- tions since last year
13. Percent of total TV homes in state located in station's area
14. Percent of total TV homes in U. S. located in station's area
15. Ranking in state in TV lation
16. Ranking in U. S. in TV lation
17. Projected TV area next year
18. Projected UHF next year
TV coverage area.
11.
coverage
homes in
equipped
circu-
circu-
circulation in
MARKET DATA 19. Population 20. Number of families 21. Retail sales 22. Per capita retail sales 23. Per family retail sales 24. Food sales 25. Drug sales 26. Electrical appliance,
goods sales 27. General merchandise sales 28. Effective buying income 29. Per capita effective buying in-
come 30. Per family effective buying in-
come 31. Number of industrial workers 32. Industrial payroll 33. Farm population 34. Number of farm families 35. Agricultural income 36. College, university enrollment 37. Annual number of vacationers 38. Income from vacationers 39. Number of automobile regis-
trations 40. Percent of total state popula-
tion in area 41. Percent
tion in 42. Percent
sales in 43. Percent
sales in 44.
installations 45.
336
hard
of total U. S. popula- area of total state retail area of total U. S. retail area
Population rank of metropoli- tan area in state or U. S. Retail sales rank of metropoli- tan area in state or U. S.
APPENDIX
MARKET DATA (Cont.) 46. Effective buying income rank
of metropolitan area in state or U. S.
MARKET TRENDS* 47. Percent increase in
since 19 48. Percent increase
since 19
49. Percent increase since 19
50. Percent increase come since 19
51. Percent increase in industrial payroll since 19
52. Percent increase in agricultural income since 19
population
TV homes
in retail sales
in buying in -
THE STATION 53. Ownership 54. Number of years of service 55. Channel number 56. Effective radiated power -
audio 57. Effective radiated power -
video 58. Height of transmitter 59. Height of transmitter above
average terrain 60. Location of transmitter 61. Number of live studios 62. Size of live studios 63. Number of film studios 64. Number of balopticons 65. Number of 16 -mm. film pro-
jectors 66. Number of 35 -mm. film pro-
jectors 67. Does station have a mobile
unit? 68. Staging services 69. Scenic design facilities 70. Scenery and property facilities 71. Lighting facilities 72. Make-up facilities
Metropolitan area or total area.
337
73. Costuming facilities 74. Number of cameras 75. Number of dolly -operated cam-
eras 76. Audio facilities 77. Kinescoping facilities -16 -mm?
35 -mm? 78. Filming facilities 79. Telop production facilities 80. Slide production facilities 81. Art and graphic services 82. Number of production person-
nel 83. Total number of station em-
ployees 84. Number of broadcast hours
daily 85. Network affiliation 86. Awards or citations
PROGRAM AUDIENCE 87. Program rating service used 88. Average daytime rating 89. Average nighttime rating 90. Average number of homes de-
livered -daytime 91. Average number of homes de-
livered -nighttime 92. Average daytime share -of -audi-
ence 93. Average nighttime share -of -
audience 94. Number of programs ranking
in top 50% of all rated pro- grams
95. Number of programs ranking in top 10 -daytime
96. Number of programs ranking in top 10 -nighttime
97. Number of programs ranking in top 25 -daytime
98. Number of programs ranking in top 25 -nighttime
99. Number of shows in top 10
locally -originated programs
338
PROGRAM AUDIENCE (Cont.) 100. Ranking of personality pro-
grams 101. Ranking of local dramatic film
programs 102. Ranking of local women's pro-
grams 103. Ranking of local children's
programs 104. Ranking of local news pro-
grams 105. Ranking of local sports pro-
grams 106. Ranking of local variety pro-
grams 107. Ranking of local weather pro-
grams 108. Ranking of local
programs (other type) 109. Percent increase or decrease
in daytime audience since last year (19 )
110. Percent increase or decrease in nighttime audience since last year (19 )
111. Percent increase or decrease in average daytime ratings since last year (19 )
112. Percent increase or decrease in average nighttime ratings since last year (19 )
113. Percent increase or decrease in average daytime share -of -audi- ence since last year (19 )
114. Percent increase or decrease in average nighttime share - of -audience since last year (19 )
115. Percent gain or loss in audi- ence over nearest competitor since last year (19
SALES EFFECTIVENESS 116. Total number of sponsors 117. Number of local sponsors 118. Total annual gross billings
APPENDIX
119. Annual gross billings of local accounts
120. Number of clients using sta- tion over 2 years
121. Number of clients using station over 5 years
122. Number of clients compared to last year (19 )
123. Number of clients increasing billings in past year
124. Billings compared to last year 19 )
125. Percent of account renewals in past year
126. Evidence of clients' sales suc- cesses
127. Testimonial letters from clients 128. Results of sales effectiveness
surveys
AUDIENCE RESPONSE 129. Total amount of mail received
during -month period 130. Average weekly mail count 131. Examples of mail response to
individual offers 132. Examples of audience pulled
to stores by special announce- ments
133. Attendance at studio broad- casts
134. Examples of telephone re- sponse to individual offers
135. Audience drawn to special events (parades, farm demon- strations, etc.)
COSTS 136. Gross nighttime hourly rate 137. Gross daytime hourly rate 138. Percent increase or decrease in
base rates since 19 139. One minute announcement
rate Night Day
APPENDIX
COSTS (Cont.) 140. 20 -second station -break rate
Night Day
141. Hourly rate for live studio rehearsal
142. Hourly rate for film studio re- hearsal
143. Rehearsal time requirements for various lengths of programs
144. List of various production costs
145. List of various program costs 146. Cost per 1000 homes in cover-
age area (1A -hour cost divided by number homes in area)
Night Day
147. Cost per 1000 homes delivered by 12 -hour program (1, -hour cost divided by number homes reached by average /-hour program)
Day Night
148. Cost per 1000 homes delivered by announcements (announce- ment cost divided by number homes reached by average an- nouncement)
Day Night
149. Homes delivered per dollar (number of homes delivered by average /-hour program di- vided by cost of 1/2 -hour pro- gram)
Day Night
150. Homes delivered per dollar (announcements) (number of homes delivered by average 1 -
minute or 20 -second announce- ment divided by cost of same)
Day Night
339
151. Percent increase or decrease in cost per 1000 homes reached by average programs since 19
152. Percent increase or decrease in cost per 1000 homes reached by average announcement since 19
153. Percent increase or decrease in homes per dollar delivered by average program since 19
154. Percent increase or decrease in homes per dollar delivered by average announcement since 19
STATION SERVICES 155. Does station offer clients on -
the -air promotion? 156. Does station offer clients news-
paper advertising of programs? 157. Does station offer clients transit
advertising? 158. Does station offer clients out-
door advertising? 159. Does station offer clients win-
dow display promotion? 160. Does station offer clients movie
trailer promotion? 161. Does station offer clients other
promotion services? 162. Does station offer clients pub-
licity services? 163. Does station offer clients mer-
chandising services? 164. Does station contact clients'
dealer organization? 165. Does station make merchandis-
ing mailings for clients? 166. Does station provide point -of -
sale merchandising support? 167. Does station supply point -of -
sale materials? 168. Does station guarantee in-store
merchandising?
340
STATION SERVICES (Cont.) 169. Does station provide news serv-
ices? (AP, UP, INS, etc.) 170. Syndicated films programmed
or available 171. Film library description 172. Does station produce live com-
mercials for clients? 173. Does station write commer-
cials for clients? 174. Does station produce film
commercials? 175. Does station produce voice-
over-telop commercials? 176. Is station equipped to handle
special effects in commercials
APPENDIX
(superimpositions, wipes, split- screen, etc.) ?
177. Will station produce drama- tized commercials?
178. Will station produce animated commercials?
179. Will talent endorse products? 180. Will talent make in-store ap-
pearances? 181. Will talent perform at dealer
meetings? 182. Will talent travel on behalf of
clients? 183. Can client use talent endorse-
ment in point -of -sale materials? 184. Will station do remote broad-
casts from clients' stores?
INDEX
"Actual" audience, 16 Advertest Research, 215, 216 Advertiser Magazine, The, 263 Advertising Age, 263 Advertising agency
account turnover, 71 functions of, 170, 171 preparation of commercials, 54 salesman's relations with, 170-175
Advertising Agency, magazine, 263 Advertising expenditures
radio, 88 television, 92, 93
Advertising Federation of America, 230
Advertising prospect, radio budget problems, 33 consideration of interests, 32, 34 examples of, 43-46 ex -clients, 73-76 preparing presentation for, 242-258 sizing up, 43
Advertising prospect, television objectives of, 99 preparing presentation for, 242-258
Advertising Research Bureau, Inc. (ARBI), 36, 37, 46
Advertising Research Foundation, 18, 37
Aided recall method, 21, 114 American Association of Advertising
Agencies (AAAA) BMB formation, 11
American Druggist, 264 American Research Bureau
80, 87, 249 American Research Bureau
114-116
Amplitude modulation (AM), 107 Association of National Advertisers
(ANA) BMB formation, 11
Audience flow, 19
Audience promotion activities, 238, 239 color television, 322-327 contests, stunts, gimmicks, 300, 301 displays, 222 information sources, 218, 219 media selection, 222 newspaper advertising, 221, 296-299 objectives of, 278, 279 on -the -air promotion, effectiveness
of, 219 outdoor advertising, 222, 300 principles for effective campaigns,
279-283 radio on -the -air, 284-288 sources of material, 301 television on -the -air, 288-296 transit advertising, 222, 299 window displays, 300
Audience response, 10, 11, 60, 137 Audimeter, Nielsen, 19, 113 Audio men, television, 118 Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC),
249 Audition films, television, 138 Audition recordings, 39 Automotive News, 249, 264
Baker, Dr. Kenneth, 12 (ARB), Balops (see telops)
Balopticon, 118 ratings, "Best -fit curve," 8
Billboard, The, 262
341
342
"Billboard" announcements, 123, 124 Broadcast Advertising Bureau (BAB) ,
37, 48, 249 Broadcast Measurement Bureau
(BMB), 11, 219 Broadcasting -Telecasting magazine,
28, 249, 262 Budget reduction of clients, 73, 74 Budgets, promotion department, 232-
235 Budgets, sales department
effect on other department budgets, 210
preparation of, 206-208 revision of, 211
Business Week magazine, 243, 249
Call -letter promotion, 216, 217, 311 Cameramen, 118 Check lists
contract form provisions, television. 136
information considered valuable by national accounts, 268-270
information for sales presentations, 254-256
pre -broadcast details, 56, 57 production facilities, television, 121 program information, 25, 26 promotion department activities,
236-240 promotion department expenses,
233, 234 qualifications of prospective sales-
men, 181, 182 sales call preparation, 40, 41
Client relations assistance in preparing radio com-
mercials, 55 attention to client's sales pattern,
60 broadcast tickets, 69 changing program's position, 63, 64 conflicting interests, client -station,
205, 206 following through when mistakes
occur, 65, 66 improper servicing, 58, 59 loyalty to client's products, 69 response to client resignation, 71,
75
INDEX
Client relations -Continued servicing the account, 58-70 station courtesies, 69
Clothing store accounts, television, 149, 152
Coaxial cable, 106 Coincidental telephone method, 20,
23, 113, 116 "Colorgenic" package, 320, 321 Color television
advertiser experimentation, 320 anticipated growth of, 326, 327 appeal to advertisers, 321, 322 as an advertising medium, 317 audience reaction to, 317, 318 commercials, 317, 320, 321 effect on other media, 1
promoting and selling, 322-327 versus black and white, 318, 319
Commercial film, television, 119 Commercial time standards, televi-
sion, NARTB, 124 Commercials, radio
preparation of, 54, 61, 62 Commercials, television
agency production of, 174, 175 color television, 317, 320, 321 effective techniques, 159, 160 preparation of, 158-161 product tie-ins, 160, 161 types of, 122-130
Conlan ratings, radio, 19, 23, 249 Contests, stunts, gimmicks, 300, 301 "Contiguous -rate" policy, 131 Continuity writers, 55, 205 Contracts
radio, 52, 53 television, 134-136
Cooperative programs, network, 125 Copy, promotion
audience promotion, 279-283 direct mail, 272-274 newspaper ads, 297 outdoor advertising, 300 psychology in national advertising,
311-314 radio on -the -air promotion, 284-
286 reflecting station's personality, 307 television on -the -air promotion,
289-292
INDEX
Copy, promotion -Continued trade advertising, 265-268 transit advertising, 299
Cost -per -thousand demonstrations, 91 Cost -per -thousand -homes comparisons
radio, 37, 38 television, 167, 168
Costuming, television, 119, 120 "County cluster," 13
Daily News Record, 263 Dallas, Texas, Hooperating report, 20 Department store accounts, television,
149 Dial position promotion, 215-217 "Diary" research technique, 112 Direct -mail promotion
advertiser reaction to, 270, 271, 274 budgeting for, 234 copy, 272-274 examples of, 275 mailing lists, 274, 276 national promotion, use for, 270-
272 physical form, 272 testing effectiveness of, 277
Displays budgeting for, 233 for program promotion, 222, 300
"Dollar buy" comparisons, radio versus newspapers, 35, 36
Drug Topics, 264 Drug Trade News, 249, 264
Electrical Merchandising, 249, 264
Federal Communications Commission authorization of ultra -high fre-
quency, 95 color television approval, 1, 316 radio field strength measurement
maps, 8 television field strength measure-
ments, 108 television station application
"freeze," 94 Fetzer stations, 217 Field strength measurements, 7-9 Film programs, syndicated, 203 Film projectors, television, 118, 120 "First refusals," 64, 162
343
Floor directors, television, 118 Food Held Reporter, 249, 263 Frequency discounts, 130, 131 Frequency modulation (FM), 107 Furniture store accounts, television,
150, 151
Grade A contour, television, 108 Graphic artist, television, 130
"Heads" (sales presentations) , 252, 253
Hooper, C. E., Inc., 20 Hooperatings, radio, 18, 20, 21, 249 Hooper teleratings, 113, 114, 249
Institutional promotion activities, 239, 240 color television, 323, 324 uses of, 229-232
In-store displays, 54
KDKA, Pittsburgh, Pa., 8 KJBS, San Francisco, Calif., 304 KMBC, Kansas City, Mo., 217, 305 KNXT, Los Angeles, Calif., 275 KSD-TV, St. Louis, Mo., 135, 136 KSL, Salt Lake City, Utah, 212 Kilocycles, 107 Kinescope, 106, 138
Layout audience promotion, 279-283 direct mail, 275, 276 television on -the -air promotion,
289-292, 294 "Leaders" (sales presentations) , 252,
253 Lighting facilities, 119
Magazine advertising budgeting for, 233 copy principles, 279-283
"Mail maps," 8, 10, 11 Mailing lists, 274, 276 Make-up, television, 119, 120 Market data
sources for development of, 226 television station area, 110
Marketing and merchandising developing information on, 34 knowledge of advertiser's problems,
33
344
McKittrick's Directory of Advertisers, 270
Media comparisons sources of, 48
Megacycles, 107 Merchandising letters, 54 Merchandising manager
making sales calls, 49 Merchandising services, 39, 54, 74, 138,
165, 166 Millivolt contours, 8
Millivolts per meter, 7
Mobile unit, television, 119 Motor magazine, 264
National accounts importance of, 259 information required to sell, 268-
270 promoting sales to, 259-277 reaction to direct mail, 270, 271, 274
National advertising revenue, 259 National Association of Broadcasters
(NAB) BMB formation, 11
National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (NARTB), 88, 124
National Broadcasting Co., The, 100, 101, 159
National Broadcasting Co. research department, 88, 94
National Broadcasting Co. Sales Effec- tiveness Studies, 92, 100-102, 137
National spot representative advising station on trade promo-
tion, 277 gaining trade recognition, 307-309 relationship with station, 259, 260 standardizing information from sta-
tions, 261 Nation's Business magazine, 243, 249 Networks
sales information required from stations, 261
Newspaper ad readership, 18 Newspaper advertising (for promo-
tion purposes) advantages of, 221, 296 budgeting for, 233 copy principles, 279-283
INDEX
Newspaper advertising -Continued examples of, 298 preparation of, 297 reciprocal time for space arrange-
ments, 299 Newspaper media
advertising results compared with radio, 36
audience delivered by ads, 37 circulation, 17 "dollar buy" comparison with
radio, 35 former radio accounts in, 75 reading time compared to radio, 82 source of circulation and cost, 227
Nielsen, A. C., Co., 12, 17, 110, 111 Nielsen Coverage Service, 12, 13, 88,
219, 225, 226, 249 Nielsen Radio Index, 18, 19, 87, 249 Nielsen Television Index, 112, 113,
249 Non -television homes, 79 "Noters," newspaper ads, 37 Novelties and gimmicks for trade pro-
motion, 309, 310
On -the -air promotion, radio compared to newspaper promotion,
219, 220 copy principles, 279-283 effectiveness of, 219, 220 preparation of, 284-286 promotional programs, 287, 288 scheduling of, 287 types of, 284
On -the -air promotion, television budgeting for, 233, 234 compared to newspaper promotion,
219, 220 copy principles, 279-283 effectiveness of, 219, 220 preparation of, 289-294 scheduling of, 294-296 types of, 289
Outdoor advertising budgeting for, 233 for program promotion, 222, 300
Participations, television, 123, 125, 126 Potential audience, 8
INDEX
Preparation for sales call, check list, 40, 41
Printers' Ink Advertisers' Annual, 249 Printers' Ink magazine, 92, 249, 263 Producers and directors, television,
118 Production crew, television, 118, 120 "Professional listening," 29, 30 Program changes, 62, 63 Program presentations
components of, 228, 257 Program promotion (see Audience
promotion) Program schedules, 25, 225, 271 Program selling, radio
commercial appeal, 26, 27 location of program, 25, 26 popularity of program, 27 program content, 26 sources of information, 28 talent, 26, 28 time period, 26
Program talent assistance on sales calls, 49 calls on national advertisers, 261,
308 endorsement of products, 49 "fumbled" commercials, 65, 66 loyalty to advertised product, 161
objectionable material, 66 relationship to sales, 28
Promotion department activities of, 236-240 administration of, 232-236 advertising copy, 265-268 audience promotion principles,
279-283 budgeting, 232-235 color television, 322-327 contests, stunts, and gimmicks, 300,
301 direct mail, 270-276 functions of, 215 gaining national recognition, 302-
315 newspaper advertising, 296-299 objectives of, 212 outdoor advertising, 300 personnel requirements, 214, 215 radio on -the -air promotion, 283-
288
345
Promotion department -Continued responsibility to sales manager,
203, 204 sources of material for audience
promotion, 301 television on -the -air promotion,
288-296 trade advertising, 262-268 transit advertising, 299 window displays, 300
Promotion man knowledge of local market, 228-229 qualifications of, 212-214
Promotion manager administration of department, 232-
236 making sales calls, 49 relationship with national repre-
sentative, 260 Promotion services, use of in selling,
39, 52, 54, 61, 74, 138, 165 Publicity manager
making sales calls, 49 responsibility to sales manager, 204,
205 Publicity services, 39, 52, 54, 165 Pulse, The, Inc., 17, 86, 249 Pulse ratings
radio, 19, 21, 22, 23 television, 114
Radio and Television Daily, 262 Radio "circulation," 17 Radio Corporation of America, 95 Radio -Electronics -Television Manu-
facturers Association, 87, 112 Radio's intangibility, 5, 6 Radio listening
by programs, 19-23 by salesmen, 29-30 characteristics of, 85 compared to reading newspapers
and magazines, 87 hours per day, 87 in coverage area, 11-15 in television homes, 79, 80 increase in television homes, effect
on, 88 outside living room, 80, 81
today compared to 1940, 82 Radio music, 86
346
Radio news, 86 Radio sales
definition, 5 Radio salesman
analysis of availabilities, 25-28 assistance from management, 49 community relations, 176-179 follow through on pre -broadcast de-
tails, 55, 56 personal enthusiasm, 89 personality traits, 176, 177 pre -call check list, 40 preparation for first call, 25 program ideas, 30 qualifications of, 181, 182 requirements for, 6 re -selling ex -clients, 76, 77 social activities, 177-179 use of ratings, 23, 24 using promotion and publicity
services, 39 Radio salesmanship
account servicing, 58-70 audition recordings, 39 basic requirements of, 6 definition, 6 familiarization with advertisers'
problems, 33 following through when mistakes
occur, 65, 66 handling program changes, 63 handling prospects, 43-46 in television markets, 81-87 interests of the advertiser, 32, 34 keeping proposals flexible, 48, 49 planning call-backs, 47, 48 preparing client for première
broadcast, 52, 54 resistance to being "sold," 43 retrieving lost accounts, 71-77 selling cost changes, 66 timing of close, 50, 51
Radio sets in homes, compared to television
sets, 88 number in U. S., 78 ownership in television homes, 87
Radio station coverage, 7-16 Radio versus television
coverage, 88 "defending" radio, 87, 88
INDEX
Radio versus television -Continued economy of, 83, 84 exclusive advantages of, 85, 86 rate reductions due to television, 68 selling radio in television markets,
78-89 Rates
radio, 66-68, 225 television, 130-134, 225
Rating services, radio description of, 18-24 use on calls, 35
Rating services, television, 112-116 Ratings, use of
radio, 16-18, 22, 23, 60, 61 television, 163-165
"Ratings versus circulation," 18 Rear -screen projection, 118, 120 Reprints of trade ads, 274 Research department
program research information, 29 responsibility to sales manager, 205
Retailing Daily, 243, 249, 263
Sales calls, 42-49 first call, the, 185, 186 getting to the point, 47 planning call-backs, 47, 48 pre -call check list, 40 preparation for, 31 "types" of, 42 the "why" of the call, 34
Sales management account assignment, 186-190 "backing" salesmen, 198, 199 budget administration, 206-208 budget revision, 211 conferences, individual, 191-193 handling client problems, 205, 206 reporting to, 195-197 sales department expenses, 208, 209 sales meetings, 193-195 salesmen's training, 183-186 selecting salesmen, 180 transferring accounts, 189, 190
Sales Management, magazine, 263 Sales Management Survey of Buying
Power, 110, 226, 249 Sales manager
active selling, 198 activities of, 191
INDEX
Sales manager -Continued administrative functions, 200-202 calls on national accounts, 308 influence on other departments,
203-205 influence on programming, 202, 203 relationship with spot representa-
tive, 260 responsibility of, 180
Sales materials, 224-227 Sales meetings, 193-195 Sales presentations
approaches, 242, 243 budgeting for, 234 check list of information for, 254-
256 local use of, 34, 35, 227 preparation of, 242-258 special presentations to national ac-
counts, 308, 309 types of, 241, 242, 246, 247 writing, 250-258
Sales promotion activities, 236-238 color television, 322-327 definition of, 223 developing basic sales materials,
224-227 direct mail, 270-276 gaining national recognition, 302-
315 information considered valuable by
national accounts, 268-270 local, 223-228 national advertising copy
chology, 312-314 providing program sales informa-
tion, 28 testing effectiveness of, 277
Sales quota, 208 Sales reports, 195-197 Sales results, television, 92, 93, 99-
102 Scenic designers, television, 118 Schwerin Research Corporation, 159 Set construction, 119 "Shadowed" areas, television, 108 Shared sponsorship, television pro-
grams, 124 Shared station -identification breaks,
123
psy-
347
Share -of -audience, 21 Show business, selling television as,
152, 153 Simmons, W. R., and Associates, 79 Sound -on -film commercials, 128, 129,
289, 292, 293 Sponsor magazine, 48, 249, 262 Spot advertising, 125 Spot announcements, 125 Stage properties, television, 119, 120 Standard Advertising Register, 276 Standard Audit and Measurement
Service (SAMS), 12, 14, 15, 110, 111, 219, 225, 226, 249
Standard Rate and Data Service, 225, 249, 262, 264
Starch, Daniel, and Staff, 18, 37 Station application "freeze," 94, 95 Station breaks, television
10 -second, 123, 125, 126 20 -second, 123, 125, 126
Station "personality" promotion, 217, 218, 276, 277, 307, 310
Station revenue sources, 207 Studio monitor, 106 Studio rehearsal charges, television,
131, 132 Success stories
sources of, 48, 226 use in selling, 137
Superimpositions, television, 294 Supermarket Merchandising, 263 Supermarket News, 263
"Teasers" (sales presentations), 252, 253
Television advertising characteristics of, 91 handling of commercials, 103, 104 merchandising advantages, 104 strength of, 97, 98
Television Age magazine, 249, 263 Television audience
compared to radio, 92 Television camera, 106 Television Digest, 249, 263 Television field strength measure-
ments, 108, 109 Television homes, 1947-1954, 93 Television magazine, 249, 262 Television production, 116-122
348
Television -radio compatibility, 151, 152
Television salesman community relations, 176-179 familiarity with contract form, 134
knowledge of material, 105 knowledge of production, 116, 118,
121, 122 personality traits, 176, 177 qualifications, 181, 182 role of, 98 social activities, 177-179
Television salesmanship answering television critics, 145-148 approach to, 104 color television, 317-319, 324-327 comparison with radio, 90, 139, 140
developing new accounts, 148-151 handling schedule changes, 161, 162
overcoming resistance to high cost, 140-143
relationship with advertising agen- cies, 170-175
selling increased costs, 166-169 selling show business, 152, 153
servicing the account, 158-169 television as a sales medium, 144,
145 UHF selling in VHF markets, 96,
97, 154-157 use of ratings, 16.3-165
Television sets in station areas, 111, 112 number in U. S., 93, 94
Television "signals," 106, 107 Television stations
capital investment in, 141
growth, 93 Television viewing
compared to other media, 92 demand for attention, 91
effect on product purchases, 100- 102
extent of, 91, 92 Telops
promotional, 289-292, 295 station -identification sharing, 127
Telopticon, 118 Tide magazine, 249, 263 Title cards, television, 118 Tobacco magazine, 264 Trade advertising, 262-268, 305-307
INDEX
Trade publications, 48, 262-264 Transit advertising
budgeting for, 233 for program promotion, 222, 299
Transmitting antenna, 106 Trendex ratings, 112, 116
Ultra -high -frequency (UHF) channels, 95 cost of conversion to, 96 development of, 95 FCC authorization, 95 frequencies, 107 problems in VHF markets, 96 sales situations, 97 selling in VHF markets, 154-157
U. S. counties, 11
Variety, 262 Very -high -frequency (VHF), 95, 107,
154-157 Videodex, 112, 249 Videotown Survey, 88 Voice-over-balop, 128-130, 289-292 Voice -over -film commercials, 128, 129,
289, 292
Wall Street Journal, The, 243, 249 WAVE, Louisville, Ky., 67 WBT, Charlotte, N. C., 212 WCBS-TV, New York, N. Y., 275 WCHS, Charleston, W. Va., 305 WDAY, Fargo, N. D., 212, 305 WFIL, Philadelphia, Pa., 304 WGY, Schenectady, N. Y., 217 WHAM, Rochester, N. Y., 212 WIND, Baltimore, Md., 305 WJHL, Johnson City, Tenn., 14, 15
WJW, Cleveland, Ohio, 217, 306 WKY, Oklahoma City, Okla., 212 WKZO, Kalamazoo, Mich., 217 WLW, Cincinnati, Ohio, 212, 217, 304 WMT, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 212 WNBC, New York, N. Y., 304 WNBT, New York, N. Y., 127 WNBW, Washington, D. C., 109
WOAI, San Antonio, Texas, 9 WPTZ, Philadelphia, Pa., 231 WSPD, Toledo, Ohio, 305, 306 WTOP-TV, Washington, D. C., 132,
133 Western Advertising magazine, 263 Women's Wear Daily, 263